Manager Mitch Brundle has defended Henry Young after the teenager was red-carded in Dover’s FA Cup defeat.

Whites were knocked out in the Fourth Qualifying Round, beaten 1-0 at National League Eastleigh last weekend.

To make matters worse, 18-year-old Young was sent off in the latter stages for a challenge on fellow midfielder Jake Taylor.

But Brundle, himself not 29 until December, said: “He’s a young player.

“These little situations in games will happen. You can’t put young lads in and expect everything to be perfect and rosy all the time.

“There’s going to be situations where they do get sent off, they do make a mistake for a goal or give away a penalty.

“It’s just about how they react. They know they have fully got my backing.

“Obviously, I know the tackle wasn’t malicious and he hasn’t done it on purpose.

“It was a heat-of-the-moment tackle.

“It’s a learning curve for him and gives an opportunity for someone else to come in and play.

“He’ll be done for three games now. That’s something he didn’t want but we can work with it.

“We’re going to have these spells throughout the season.”

Eastleigh have made a decent start and are on the fringes of the National League play-offs - but early-season National League South strugglers Dover made a good fist of it against them.

“We gave it a good go,” reflected Brundle.

“Obviously, late on, we threw everything at it. But we’re a very young team and we held our own against a top National League side.

“Their front three is, arguably, one of the best in that league and we limited them to few chances.

“They were always going to have some chances.

“We were hoping - with the excitement of the FA Cup - that one of our late chances could have fallen in and got us a replay.

“It wasn’t to be but that doesn’t mean there weren’t bits in that game we can be proud of.”

With Young now set to be banned for three games, the return of 34-year-old captain James Dunne in midfield is a welcome boost for Whites.

Brundle noted: “It’s always good to have experience. I think Dunney has been magnificent all season.

“To have him back, that’s good.”

Hemel Hempstead will visit Crabble this Saturday and Brundle thinks former Welling manager Bradley Quinton’s team should be challenging at the right end of the table.

“They have recruited well,” said Brundle, whose side will also visit Chelmsford on Monday.

“They have a great manager and they will be expecting to be in the play-offs.

“We’ll analyse them. They’re another tough outfit which should be challenging up the top. They have got a good squad.

“But we know we can put in performances against the top sides so we’ll make it as hard as possible and, hopefully, we can get the three points.”

Dover have allowed midfielder George Wilkinson to sign for Isthmian Premier Wingate & Finchley on a one-month loan. Wilkinson came through 72 minutes in Tuesday’s 2-0 league win over Horsham.

Brundle hopes the temporary deal will allow the 19-year-old to revitalise his career.

He said: “He hasn’t played much football.

“It was a case of him going to get games and regenerate his career a little bit. We’ll analyse how he is doing.

“He’s still only young. I know he’s played a lot of games but he’s still a young player.

“Hopefully, he’ll come back with a spring in his step to prove to me that he should be in my starting XI.”

Whites will hold their second community day of the season, in conjunction with the Dover Athletic Community Trust, this Saturday.

There will be a children’s disco in the Centre Spot from 12pm until 2pm, free face painting will be available, along with goodie bags, and the Vista Twisters Cheerleading Club in Dover will perform on the pitch just after 2pm and once again prior to kick-off.