Dover goalkeeper Mitch Walker played his first game in almost five months at Bath City’s Twerton Park on Tuesday night but the home side ensured it wasn’t a happy return.

Whites bowed out of the FA Trophy after losing the quarter-final replay 2-1 against the Conference South side.

Walker, who replaced the injured Andy Rafferty, was playing for the first time since he tore ligaments in an elbow in the 2-1 league defeat at Dartford on September 16 last year.

The England C representative said: “The game provided a mixture of emotions for me.

“I was so happy to be back playing after being out injured for so long – I had forgot how much I love playing.

“On the other hand, it was so disappointing to lose with Wembley within touching distance.

“All of us are gutted but it was our first-half performance that cost us.

“We gave ourselves too much to do conceding those two quick goals and although we dominated the second half, we just couldn’t get back on level terms.”

Rafferty was ruled out with a groin injury so that opened the door for Walker.