Dover manager Mitch Brundle claimed even the Hemel Hempstead player who won a “ludicrous” stoppage-time penalty was puzzled as to why it was awarded - but admitted Whites should have won the match well before then.

A controversial late spot-kick denied Dover a second National League South success of the season in front of a bumper crowd of 1,675 at a wet Crabble on Saturday.

Strugglers Whites led at half-time. Striker Nick Dembele scored and they appeared on course for victory after away midfielder Tyrelle Newton was sent off minutes later.

The 10-man visitors equalised through skipper George Williams, only for forward Zidan Sutherland to put Whites back ahead with 11 minutes left.

But Alfie Matthews’ penalty - after referee Nicholas Dunn controversially ruled defender John Oyenuga to have fouled a Hemel player - ensured a third straight 2-2 league draw for Dover.

Brundle said: “I know it’s not a penalty.

“The player that’s got the penalty, he told me that he doesn’t know how he got the penalty - because he slips! But the referee’s decision shouldn’t determine whether we get three points or one point.

Report: Dover 2-2 Hemel Hempstead

“We should have killed the game before then, let’s not get it wrong. But it is what it is.

“We cannot do much about it now - but the decision is ludicrous.

“He [Mr Dunn] might give me a phone call and say ‘sorry’ but it doesn’t change anything now.”

Having played with an extra player for more than an hour, Dover should have already sealed a much-needed three points. Instead, they remain without a home league win since February.

“At 1-0, first half, we should kill the game,” said Brundle, whose team also had drawn league matches at Bath and Taunton, between FA Cup clashes.

“The players gave me everything in terms of what I asked for in the fundamentals of football.

“The final bit of quality is what we’re missing and that shows. But it’s three league games unbeaten against three top teams - if they’re not in the play-offs, they’ve all had a bad season.

“Hemel aren’t a bad side. We just didn’t have that final cutting edge to kill them off.

“At 2-1, I thought we were in the driving seat, and we were for most of the game, but when you don’t kill teams off, the National League South does that. It does it all the time.

“You do get sucker-punched in this league.

“We did it to Torquay and it’s come back to bite us.”

Dembele rushed over to celebrate with boss Brundle, having netted the opening goal in the first half.

Brundle said: “We’re a together group. We’re a much better team now than we were in August.

“We can still add more quality to it - and we’re still going to - but we have just got to find the right ones.

“But we are a together group and they do give everything.”

Recalled Dover midfielder Josh Anifowose impressed. But, with Whites again in action tomorrow night at Chelmsford, and therefore facing a quick turnaround, he limped off in the early stages of the second period.

“I thought he was outstanding but we lost him to an injury,” noted Brundle. “Nick was tired, as well, so we had to make the changes.

“Josh’s ankle is swollen. I don’t know what he’ll be like for Monday so we’ll have to wait and see.”

The National League South contest was played in front of a large crowd as the club’s second community day this campaign made a positive impact.

“It’s fantastic,” enthused Brundle. “It’s always great for the football club every time we do these community days.

“They always work out well.”

While Dover are third-bottom in the table, already five points from safety, Chelmsford are only a point outside the play-off places.

Brundle said: “I’ll just focus on the progress that we are making.

“If we keep performing to a certain standard, like we have done in the last three league games, we’re only going to go one way. That’s up, which is good.

“It’s another tough game. Chelmsford are a fantastic side and did fantastically last year.

“But we’ll let this one hurt first. I like it that the players are hurt by this one because they should go home, look themselves in the mirror and be really hurting.

“Hopefully, that means it doesn’t happen to us again this season.”

Chelmsford were held to a weekend goalless draw at Slough.