Manager Steve McKimm described Cray Valley’s draw at Isthmian Premier leaders Dover as a typical game of two halves on Saturday.

The Millers fell behind on 11 minutes slightly against the run of play but struggled to find their feet in the first period after that, and then saw forward Freddie Parker hit the post with a second-half penalty.

But substitute Matthew Vigor got them level and, although Whites went ahead again in stoppage time, McKimm’s men displayed their never-say-die attitude to net a last-gasp leveller through captain Mohammed-Idris Oshilaja in the 2-2 draw as their unbeaten league streak extended to 10 matches.

“It was a typical game of two halves,” reflected McKimm. “In the first half, we started okay for the first 10 minutes, then we fell into the trap of not winning the second balls and not turning them.

“They left us space to play and we felt we could do it, but they were jumping on it. They were quicker to every second ball.

“They looked more energetic and the boys were told beforehand exactly what was going to happen in the game in terms of how they play. I’ve watched loads of videos of them and they’re effective at it.

“That’s why their boys get goals. They’re very good at getting the ball into them [Dover’s front players] and letting them go and produce their magic. They’re three very good forwards.

Report: Dover 2-2 Cray Valley

“They were told about it but, after 10 minutes, we fell into the trap and that allowed them to gain territory.”

There had been away suggestions that Dover defender Luca Cocoracchio had won the ball illegally in the build-up to the hosts’ first, although those complaints were waved away by referee Peter Conn.

Asked if he thought there had been a foul on one of his players, McKimm replied: “I do from where I’m standing.

“The ref said there wasn’t enough contact for a foul - but the corner flag came out of the pitch!

“But we’re not crying over spilt milk, that’s happened, and they have scored. We didn’t react how I wanted us to in terms of us getting in behind them and getting down the sides of them and we played into their hands, really.

“At half-time, I’m going to be honest, I read the riot act to them. I told them at half-time that, sometimes in football, it doesn’t have to be passing through the thirds and be pretty.

“You have got to stand up and win your battle - individually and collectively - and gain territory. All that ugly stuff.

“The pitch is a nice pitch but it’s not as good as it used to be. It used to be a carpet.

“There’s been bad weather, as well, and that plays a part where it makes it sticky and bobbly - but it’s the same for both teams - and in the second half, we came out and they did exactly what I wanted them to do straight away.

“We were on the front foot.”

Indeed, the Millers had won a penalty within less than 30 second-half seconds for a foul on midfielder Tom Beere but Parker’s shot - which had sent Dover keeper Claudio Boakye-Sarfo the wrong way - crashed against the post.

McKimm, who also felt Soares-Junior had been offside in the build-up to the second home goal, continued: “Now, me and my staff are sitting in the dugout and thinking ‘They have taken on board what we want them to do’. From there, we went for strength to strength, apart from their second goal.

“I’m in line with it and I thought it was offside, personally, and by two or three yards. It wasn’t particularly close and they score and you do think ‘Oh, here we go’.

“Then all of a sudden, we go up the other end.

“We show our spirit, our character that you have seen before from our team, and we got a fully deserved equaliser.”

But Cray Valley did lose defender Oshilaja to a second yellow card during a frantic final few moments for his goal celebration.

It means he is now expected to miss their home league fixture against Lewes next weekend.

“It’s the letter of the law but it’s something that I don’t like,” said McKimm. “I don’t get it for taking your shirt off, either, in terms of why that is a caution.

“If you’re taking your shirt off and there’s something underneath that you’re not supposed to show, I get that. But if you’re just so elated, celebrating, and go into the crowd, I’m not sure.

“They must have been near some of the supporters in their end - and I didn’t see a booking for that. What I’m saying is he has made an example of someone.

“You maybe just have to take a step back and say ‘Okay no problem, it’s the heat of the moment’.

“Did he actually get in the crowd? Did he climb into the fans and jump about with the fans celebrating, or was he by the barrier, gets pushed in by his team-mates, and then he’s the fall guy? I don’t know.

“It’s not something that I liked but it’s just part and parcel of it.”

The Millers travel to Hastings in the Velocity Cup in midweek.