ACE KELLY’S LATE STRIKE COMPOUNDS DOVER WOE

JOSH Kelly’s stoppage time goal robbed 10-man Dover Athletic of a deserved point at Crabble.

Kelly scrambled the ball home from close range following a corner, despite already relegated Dover’s protests for handball being waved away by referee Aji Ajibola.

Mr Ajibola had earlier sent off 18-year-old Dover midfielder Luke Baptiste – man-of-the-match in the draw against King’s Lynn Town a week earlier – for a questionable second yellow card.

To say Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler, who was serving a onematch ban following his red card at Wrexham last month, was livid after the final whistle was an understatement.

He said: “I’ve got to be careful with what I say, but I am flabbergasted to be honest by that decision to send young Luke (Baptiste) off.

“It was a foul the other way – I am lost for words, I really am.

“He (Luke) is a very upset and he (the ref) caused that – Luke is a young kid plying his trade at a real good level now and he’s doing really well.

“But when you have to deal with officials like that, you really have no chance.

“The referees association have got to look at the standard of referees and their performances because for me, they are not good enough for this level and it’s got to be looked at.”

As for the game itself, Hessenthaler said he was “gutted” for his players.

“They gave it a right go again and they deserved a point – it’s heart-breaking.”

Kelly’s goal, his 14th of season, was enough for the Magpies to secure their first win in four National League games.

It was a game where chances were few and far between, but when the visitors pressed, they found French goalkeeper Alexis Andre Jr in stunning form after a dour first half.

The former Bristol Rovers custodian, making his second consecutive start, was called into action for the first time 10 minutes after the break, diving low to save Kane Ferdinand’s shot.

Andre Jr then produced a double save to keep out efforts from half-time substitute Shawn McCoulsky and Kelly.

McCoulsky saw another shot saved before Baptiste was sent for an early shower after a coming together with Sam Beckwith six minutes from time.

Andre Jr produced his best save two minutes from time to deny that man McCoulsky again.

But there was to be no denying Kelly as he finally found a way past Andre Jr following a mass scramble in the six-yard box.

The match winner said: “We made it hard for ourselves and we got a bit lucky with their sending off I think, but we should have took the three points which we did.

“It would have been tough one to take had we got a draw.” STAR MAN: Alexis Andre (Dover) ATT: 475 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Aji Ajibola