Former Sutton forward Joff Vansittart skips over a challenge as Tony Browne arrives to help out.

A late winner from a player who perhaps shouldn't have been on the pitch dumped Dover out of the FA Trophy at Gander Green Lane this afternoon.

The Dover team news wasn't quite as bad as had been feared, both Simon Wormull and Simon Beard had recovered from their injuries and were in the starting line-up. There were five absentees though. Midfielders Dave Morrison and Jimmy Strouts were ineligible, Jake Leberl was finishing-off his four match suspension and centre-backs Stuart Munday and Scott Daniels were injured. Neil Le Bihan moved inside from his usual left-wing position to partner Dave Clarke in the centre, with Steve Norman moving forward into the left midfield position and James Virgo playing left-back as Dover returned to their prefered 4-4-2 formation. A lack of available defenders and midfielders meant goalkeeper Kevin Hudson was joined on the bench by four forwards. As well as regular substitutes Mark Hynes and Matt Carruthers, there were places for Roy Godden and reserve team player-manager Julian Holmes.

Following a delayed kick-off and an impecably observed minute's silence in memory of Sir Stanley Mathews, the game got under way. Sutton were the quickest off the blocks and went close in the first minute, forcing Paul Hyde to palm the ball behind at full stretch. Sutton had the better of the opening exchanges and took the lead on 13 minutes when Sammy Winston poked Aidan Newhouse's cross into the net from close range.

Dover responded positively, with Dave Clarke's well-struck 30-yard shot flashing just inches over the bar on 15 minutes. Athletic looked more urgent than they had in the early minutes and began to dominate, although Sutton could have gone 2-0 up had it not been for a 22^nd minute clearance off the line by Tony Browne. Two minutes after this scare, Steve Brown beat the home team's offside trap and delivered a perfect cross to the back post where Dave Clarke was arriving unchallenged. Clarke rose to meet the ball but could not keep it down and headed over when he really ought to have scored.

Dover continued to apply pressure on the United defence. Simon Wormull forced a save from Howells with a low shot, and Dave Clarke looked dangerous with his previously undiscovered long throws.

The equaliser that the Whites deserved arrived five minutes before the break. A clumsy challenge felled Joff Vansittart but referee Andrew Woolmer played a good advantage. Steve Brown's clever pass found Dave Clarke overlapping on the right and he delivered an inviting cross to the back post where it was thumped home emphatically by the head of Neil Le Bihan. It was Le Bihan's first goal of the season.

Dover were the better team in an entertaining first half but the sides went in at half time level at 1-1. The second period was a fairly even and scrappy contest. Both defences looked vulnerable but neither side could deliver the killer blow. On 71 minutes a reckless lunge by Newhouse caught Steve Norman and sparked a bit of a ruck. Goalkeeper Paul Hyde was incensed and got involved with a group of Sutton players. The Dover captain was in danger of getting himself sent-off until he was dragged away by Neil Le Bihan. Newhouse was lucky to escape with a yellow card, and the same punishment was awarded to Hyde and Sutton's Mark Watson for their parts in the resulting confrontation. Hyde's booking means he will now be suspended as a result of collecting five yellow cards this season, and comes just weeks after he was involved in a similar incident at Nuneaton.

With 10 minutes left, Neil Le Bihan limped-off injured for the umpteenth time this season and was replaced by Matt Carruthers. Six minutes later, Dover were caught out and going out, as they fell victim to a late Sutton United goal for the second time this season. Nko Ekoku (who was involved in a bust-up with Paul Hyde at Crabble in August) provided the cross for Newhouse to head into the bottom corner of the net, just out of the reach of Paul Hyde.

The Whites were in an identical situation to the one they found themselves in at Harlow in the Second Round of this competition. On that occasion an inspired substitution by Bill Williams brought two late goals and a 3-2 victory. The Dover boss tried to pull another rabbit out of the hat this time, bringing ex-Sutton forward Mark Hynes on in place of ex-Sutton full-back James Virgo. Unfortunately it was too little too late. A last minute corner saw Paul Hyde take-up an attacking role but Sutton held-out to progress to the quarter-finals.

This was far from an abysmal performance by the Whites but they failed to take their chances and were punished for defensive errors. The return of Simon Beard gave the team a more solid look and Dave Clarke and Neil Le Bihan looked comfortable in the middle of the park. Steve Brown produced another excellent performance up-front, full of running, clever touches and dangerous crosses. In contrast, his partner Joff Vansittart was almost completely anonymous on his return to the ground where he made his name with 37 goals in his final season for the U's.

Next up for the Whites is another cup-tie, on Tuesday night. The slightly less prestigous Kent Senior Cup is the competition, Folkestone Invicta are the opposition for a rare competetive local derby, and Crabble is the venue. Next Saturday we are at Scarborough in the Conference.

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