GRAVESEND & Northfleet’s hopes of a good run in the FA Trophy came to a controversial end in as they Matt Lee was sent-off in a 1-0 defeat at Dover Athletic in the third round on Tuesday night.

Lee became the ninth Fleet player to receive his marching orders this season after being shown a red card in the 19th minute for a late challenge on Steve Norman, even though a yellow card seemed sufficient.

To Gravesend’s credit, they used the defender's dismissal positively as they played just three at the back while dominating the remainder of the half.

Liam Hatch got into good positions on a couple of occasions and saw one effort bounce off a post and another hit the side netting, while Mark Bentley’s shot on 40 minutes was deflected just inches over the crossbar.

The closest any home player came to finding the net in the first half came at the wrong end when Dean Readings almost turned Tostao Kwashi’s cross into his own goal after 33 minutes.

Dover boss Clive Walker obviously had a few choice words with his players at the interval and it seemed to work as his side came more into the match in the second period.

However, despite a couple of half chances for the hosts, Gravesend’s 10 players looked set to earn a replay when they were undone 12 minutes from time by a fine move.

Matt Carruthers, who had looked sharp throughout, managed to deliver a tempting cross towards the near post where it was met by the diving ex-Fleet striker Lee Spiller, who glanced it into the far corner.

Gravesend have now won only once in their last 14 games in all competitions.