KANE’S JUST A PAIN AS WHITES BITE RAVENS LATE

An injury-time goal from substitute Kane Richards saw Dover grab a share of the spoils after they had looked dead and buried at half-time.

Early on, Bromley took advantage of a below-par Dover to lead by two goals at the break. However, boosted by a double substitution and change of shape, Dover dominated the second to leave Hayes Lane with a deserved point.

Whites manager Chris Kinnear was philosophical on his reflection of the game, saying: “We were disappointed with the first half performance as we allowed Bromley to execute their game plan, but in the second half we gave it a real good go and in the end we could have won it”

Dover created the first chance of the game when Nortei Nortey played in Mitch Brundle, but the Dover captain saw his fierce effort tipped away by Bromley custodian David Gregory. That was to be as good as it got for Dover in the first half as Bromley controlled the remainder of the half.

It was Louis Dennis’ fine individual skills that led to Bromley taking the lead just after the half hour. His jinking slalom run took him past two players before exchanging passes with Josh Rees and slotting beyond Mitch Walker.

With Bromley in the ascendancy, Jack Holland doubled the home side’s lead three minutes before half-time, heading home from Frankie Raymond’s corner.

Kinnear responded with a double substitution at the break, with Anthony Jeffrey and Ejiro Okosieme coming on and Dover changing their shape to a 3-4-3. It was an inspired move and one that saw Dover take control of the game.

Within ten minutes of the restart the visitors had reduced the arrears when Jeffrey crossed for Brundle, who produced a smart half volley finish, leaving Gregory no chance.

Three minutes later Manny Parry missed a golden chance to equalise, placing his header wide of the goal when it seemed easier to score. With Bromley largely forced to play on the counter-attack, they nearly stretched their lead when Holland headed Dennis’ cross onto the post with the rebound falling into the grateful arms of Walker. Dover, however, were not deterred and continued to apply pressure, Femi Ilesanmi volleyed inches wide after Mitch Pinnock’s long throw had caused confusion in the Bromley box. As the game entered injury-time, Dover got their reward as Bromley failed to clear their lines and Richards punished them with a header inches from the goal line. Bromley boss Neil Smith cut a frustrated figure at full-time, saying: “In the first half, the game plan worked but we gave it away in the second. “We were poor defensively, giving away silly free-kicks that played to Dover’s strengths, and we should have been better”