Dover’s awful season continued as they were beaten 1-0 by league rivals Bromley in the FA Trophy on Saturday.

A first-half Khale Da Costa own goal proved the difference in the third-round tie.

The hosts, bottom of the National League and still without a victory this season, had made a bright start at Crabble as Koby Arthur’s cross forced Bromley goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook into action in the fourth minute.

But the first opportunity for the visitors - who are fourth in the league and chasing promotion - came in the 16th minute and it was a massive one. Home keeper Josh Bexon thwarted Louis Dennis who had broken clean through on goal.

Shortly after, at the other end, Ghanaian Arthur fired wide from just outside the penalty area on a dull and foggy afternoon.

Da Costa, making his first start since returning from his loan spell, tried his luck with a free-kick midway through the first period, which was beaten away by Charles-Cook.

Henry Woods was the next to test the Ravens keeper but Charles-Cook was equal to the on-loan Gillingham midfielder's effort.

Just before the half-hour mark, however, Andy Woodman’s men broke the deadlock when a Jude Arthurs corner was deflected into his own net by Da Costa at the near post, leaving Bexon with no chance.

With 32 minutes on the clock, Charles-Cook again denied Da Costa - pushing away the former Tonbridge Angels man’s free-kick as Whites once again trailed at half-time.

Seven minutes after the restart, a weak shot from Whites wideman James Caton was comfortably gathered by Charles-Cook.

Teenage frontman Noah Carney was given around 30 minutes to make an impact off the bench, ahead of his England Schoolboys’ under-18s trial on Sunday. The 17-year-old Academy man replaced Caton.

Fellow Academy players George Wilkinson and Luke Baptiste joined Carney on the field for the latter stages in one big positive for Dover on another tough day.

In the final minute of normal time, Woods scooped over fellow midfielder Ryan Hanson’s long throw but Bromley held on to earn the £4,500 in prize money which was up for grabs.

Whites manager Andy Hessenthaler promised changes and made four to the starting line-up which had lost 2-1 at King’s Lynn last weekend.

In came skipper Sam Wood, Arthur, Caton and Da Costa, who recently came back from a loan spell at Braintree.

Striker Ben Williamson, keeper Alexis Andre Jr and Danny Collinge missed out through “illness” while on-loan Maidstone striker Alfie Pavey didn't feature, either.

Midfielder TJ Bramble missed out through injury as well.

But there were plenty of changes made by away boss Woodman too - seven in total - with top scorer Michael Cheek among those left out of their squad entirely.

The sides had met at Crabble in the league in September, Bromley also winning that game by the same scoreline.

Dover: Bexon, Tiensia, Wood, Goodman, Ransom, Hanson, Woods, Arthur (Wilkinson 82mins), Caton (Carney 64mins), Da Costa (Baptiste 82mins), Cosgrave. Subs not used: Holtam.

Bromley: Charles-Cook, Partington, Nicholas, Bush, Arthurs, Fisher, Lovatt (Francis 72mins), Dennis, Tormey (Krauhaus 58mins), Forster (Smith 46mins), Sablier. Subs not used: Daly, Bingham, German and Kader.

Ref: Lee Collins.

Attendance: 457.