Kevin Lokko’s last-gasp equaliser salvaged a battling point for Whites at Victory Park on Saturday.
Athletic’s skipper volleyed into the bottom-corner in the fourth minute of injury-time after the home side had seemingly taken all three points when Alex Newby had tricked his way into the Dover penalty area and fired home earlier in the second half.
Lokko had other ideas and his well-placed finish ended a run of back-to-back league defeats for Andy Hessenthaler’s men.
Both sides went close early on. Chorley struck first as Jai Reason headed Courtney Meppen-Walters’ stabbed effort from a corner off the line and at the other end Inih Effiong blasted over from inside the penalty area.
Visiting keeper Lee Worgan denied Marcus Carver from the byline and following a swift counter-attack, Ricky Modeste’s curling effort from the edge of the area landed on the roof of Chorley’s net.
Will De Havilland’s misplaced pass let in Carver, however captain Lokko sprinted to his teammate’s rescue and blocked the striker’s effort.
Newby then sent a vicious volley inches above the crossbar as Athletic withheld heavy pressure from the home attack.
With half-time looming, Reason’s floating set piece evaded every player in the opposing box, bouncing just past the wrong side of the post.
Following the restart, Lokko nodded Reason’s corner narrowly off target.
The hosts then missed the best chance of the game so far.
Matt Challoner got the better of the away defence out wide, passing for the onrushing Chris Holroyd, however the former Wrexham man blasted straight at Worgan from six yards.
The National League strugglers did make their next chance count.
Newby jinked his way into the Dover area and blasted an effort straight through a crowded area and past an unsighted Worgan.
The visitors looked to hit back immediately and Urwin saved Michael Woods’ angled drive.
However Lokko struck with nearly the last kick of the game as Whites’ first-ever visit to Victory Park ended all-square.
Boss Hessenthaler made six changes to the side that started at King’s Lynn in the FA Trophy last week, with Worgan, Modeste, Woods, Effiong, Rooney and Reason all returning.
Whites next host Bromley on Boxing Day, kick off 3 pm.
DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION
CHORLEY REACTION
