Dover Athletic stunned League 2 side Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup Second Round on Sunday afternoon to book their place in Monday's Third Round draw.

Whites fans can dream of ties with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham after Connor Essam struck a late winner at Whaddon Road to second Athletic into the Third Round for only the second time in their history.

Essam curled into the corner after the Robins failed to clear a Nicky Deverdics cross seven minutes from time to send the travelling fans into dreamland.

The goal had been coming as a minute earlier Tyrone Sterling had struck the woodwork with a low angled drive after bursting into the box while Tom Murphy's shot was saved by keeper Trevor Carson.

Chris Kinnear's side started brightly and it was Deverdics who had the first chance after six minutes but his free-kick hit the wall before he blasted the rebound high and wide.

There was then an anxious moment for Whites after keeper Andy Rafferty dropped a free-kick before recovering to reclaim it.

Dover were more than holding their own and it was Deverdics who went close again in the 17th minute and it need an excellent save from Carson to deny him.

A minute later, Carson produced another stunning stop to deny Murphy after he was put clear by Stefan Payne.

Cheltenham responded before half-time. Rafferty produced an excellent save at his near post to deny the impressive Craig Braham-Barrett after the left-back burst into the penalty area.

Terry Gornell then hit the post for Cheltenham after his shot took a deflection off Essam and Gornell's header was disallowed after the ball had already gone out of play.

Callum Davies, on loan at Crabble from Gillingham, then limped off and was replaced by Tom Wynter just before the break.

After the interval, Dover had a good chance in the 56th minute but Tom Bonner blazed over after a huge scramble in the box following Deverdics' corner.

Jason Taylor then shot wide for Cheltenham before Stefan Payne fired straight at Carson for Dover.

At the other end, Taylor had a glorious chance to score in the 72nd minute but his shot from Byron Harrison's pass went wide with the goal at his mercy.

Two minutes later, Dover had an appeal for a penalty waved away after Deverdics appeared to be bundled over.

Dover: Rafferty, Essam, Francis, Orlu, Bonner, Sterling, Kinnear Jnr, Davies (Wynter 40mins), Deverdics, Murphy, Payne. Subs not used: Bellamy, Cogan, Reid, Nanette, Hook, Poole.

Attendance: 3,352 with 587 from Dover.