Dover boss Chris Kinnear says Nathan Elder might struggle to regain his place after his first-half dismissal in the FA Trophy last-16 tie at Eastleigh proved costly.

The forward was shown a straight red card for violent conduct after a confrontation with Jamie Collins off the ball shortly before half-time, with the tie being locked at 1-1.

The visitors went on to take the lead, but came under increasing pressure as the game wore on and their resistance eventually broke as they conceded a late equaliser and a stoppage-time winner to lose 3-2.

Kinnear said: “There is no excuse for it. It was a sending-off and of course it makes things more difficult for us. He’s let his team-mates down.

“We had a few words after it happened, but we will move on. What it does mean though is that he’s going to miss some games and it might mean that he’ll lose his place.

"If you get suspended then that gives someone else the opportunity to take your place and if they perform then you might not get it back.”