Salisbury 0 Dover Athletic 1
Published: 17:08, 03 March 2012
Billy Bricknell came to Dover’s rescue as his late goal snatched all three points on the road at Salisbury.
A scrappy contest meant fans had to wait until the dying minutes for the deadlock to be broken when substitute Bricknell (pictured) pounced on 86 minutes. He bundled the ball home for the visitors after Barry Cogan’s searching cross struck a post.
Both sides missed a hatful of chances in the game, while Dover were indebted to defender Tom Wynter, who cleared a second-half Salisbury effort off the line.
Three times Salisbury should have gone ahead only to waste glorious opportunities, including a diving header over the bar from striker Chris Giles in the first half. Dover keeper Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz also cleared his lines well, punching clear from a free-kick under pressure.
Salisbury’s Robbie Matthews saw his second half effort denied by Wynter, shortly before he was forced off through injury. He made way for Bricknell, who ultimately proved the match winner and combined well with Terry Dixon upfront as manager Nicky Forster shuffled his pack.
Salisbury could have even snatched a point in injury time following Bricknell’s strike. But, a free kick sailed inches wide much to the relief of Mikhael-Ruiz and his defence.
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KentOnline reporter