Barnet 3 Dover Athletic 2

DOVER Athletic bowed out of the FA Trophy on Saturday after producing a brave performance against Conference high-flyers Barnet.

Apart from the suspended Danny Chapman, Whites fielded a full-strength side but Barnet ‘rested’ several players including the leading scorer in the Conference, Giuliano Grazioli.

There was little between the teams in the first half but on 51 minutes Geoff Pitcher put Barnet ahead with a shot from 20 yards into the top corner. Five minutes later he made it 2-0 from close range.

Dover were not finished, though, and when Matt Carruthers was tripped after 67 minutes Day stepped up to confidently score from the penalty spoit.

Dover then spent the rest of the match on the attack, going down the Underhill slope, and Craig Wilkins and Day both missed good chances.

But it was Barnet who scored again against the run of play with six minutes left, Lee Roache heading in a near-post corner from Joe Gamble.

Dover still refused to give up with Wilkins and Tommy Tyne combining well. With just a minute left, the latter scored with a low shot into the corner from just inside the penalty area.

There was still time for a Dover free-kick just outside the penalty area, but Barnet were visibly relieved when Day’s shot went inches wide.

Dover had by no means been disgraced and the travelling Whites supporters, who numbered well over 200, showed their appreciation of a good fighting performance at the end of the game.

Dover Athletic: Hyde; Browne, Davies (Rogers, 70 min), Crofts, Arnott, Humphrey, Day, Spiller, Wilkins, Tyne, Carruthers.