A controversial last-gasp penalty denied Dover a second National League South success of the season against 10-man Hemel Hempstead on Saturday.

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

The visitors equalised through skipper George Williams in the second half, only for Zidan Sutherland to put Whites back ahead.

But an Alfie Matthews penalty ensured a third straight 2-2 league draw for Dover.

Both sides had an opportunity in the fourth minute at a gloomy Crabble in front of a bumper crowd of 1,675 on their second community day of the season.

On-loan home goalkeeper Billy Terrell tipped over striker Joe Iaciofano’s deflected shot before Whites midfielder Josh Anifowose tested keeper Craig King.

But the match swung the way of Mitch Brundle’s side - also set to visit Chelmsford on Monday - midway through the first period.

A quick free-kick routine by Hemel was easily cut out and recalled Anifowose came out of midfield to find Sutherland on the left. The ball broke to Dembele who turned and found the bottom corner for his first goal this season.

Two minutes later, Bradley Quinton’s troops were reduced to 10 men. Referee Nicholas Dunn had little hesitation in giving young midfielder Newton a second caution in quick succession for a late challenge in midfield.

King then got a crucial touch on Anifowose's 26th-minute low long-range effort, with the hosts well on top.

Five minutes later, a deflected Archie Hatcher strike went wide and centre-half Charlie Naylor nodded narrowly over from a corner.

Hemel manager Quinton was quick to act. He brought on Brad Roberts for Iaciofano as Tarrelle Whittaker went into the lone striker role.

Williams unleashed a 50th-minute effort which was gathered well by Terrell.

There was a blow for the home contingent which saw the impressive Anifowose limp off with 53 minutes played and he was replaced by Johl Powell in midfield.

After the hour mark, 18-year-old Hatcher watched his effort go inches wide of King’s right-hand post after a mistake by the goalkeeper.

Play-off chasing Hemel equalised with 17 minutes to go. They found themselves in plenty of space and Williams fired beyond Terrell.

But the relegation-threatened hosts retook the lead, six minutes later.

They cleared out from the back and AFC Wimbledon loanee Paris Lock passed to Sutherland, who cut inside his man and emphatically blasted into the net for his fifth goal of the campaign.

Heading into the last minutes of normal time, Terrell was busy. He parried a free-kick and then scrambled clear substitute Bayley Brown’s close-range strike from a corner.

There was to be late drama in the 95th minute, though, as Dover right-back John Oyenuga was ruled to have fouled an away player by controversial referee Mr Dunn, a challenge which looked close to being outside the penalty area.

And Matthews kept his cool to send Terrell the wrong way before celebrating with their fans behind the goal as they earned a draw.

A minute’s applause had been held before kick-off for Neil Le Bihan, the popular former Dover midfielder who recently died suddenly at the age of 47.

Whites manager Brundle made one change as 18-year-old midfielder Henry Young, starting a suspension after he was red-carded at Eastleigh in the previous weekend’s FA Cup defeat, was replaced by Anifowose.

Right-sided home player Roman Charles-Cook, who had been away on international duty with Grenada, wasn’t involved.

Utility player Arjanit Krasniqi started for the visitors while another former Dover player, frontman Reece Grant, was named on their bench. He didn’t come on.

That also meant right-back Myles Judd, who initially agreed to stay with Dover this summer - only to then U-turn on that decision - missed out through injury.

Dover Athletic: Terrell, Ojemen, Dunne, Anifowose (Powell 53mins), Sutherland, Naylor, Mensah, Hatcher, Dembele (Allen 73mins), Oyenuga, Lock (Stewart 86mins). Subs not used: Baptiste, Nikaj.

Hemel Hempstead Town: King, McKenzie, Ajayi, Williams, Matthews, Iaciofano (Roberts 31mins), Whittaker (Oyisan 70mins), Re, Smith, Newton, Krasniqi (Brown 64mins). Subs not used: Grant, Briscoe.

Referee: Nicholas Dunn.

Attendance: 1,675.