Whites crashed out of the FA Trophy at the first attempt after a poor performance and a number of strange refereeing decisions culminated in a two-nil defeat.

The side was the same as last weeks win over Tonbridge, with just one enforced change. Warren Ryan was not eligible to play in the competition as part of his loan deal, and so Nick Grimes was called in to play on the left side of midfield. Thankfully, Lee Shearer was eligible as part of his loan deal from Gravesend however, and so he retained his place at the centre of defence.

Although Whites made the better start to the game, it was the home side that created the first chances. After only five minutes, Elliot Onochie broke the offside trap, but shot wide, and then Kevin Readings was forced to save from Gavin Tomlin.

The first thirty minutes of the game were the best period for the Whites, and we almost took the lead through a former Staines player. Roni Joe, who played for the Swans against us earlier this season, was unlucky to head Daniel Grieves’ cross over the bar.

It was Joe that was the closest to scoring for the Whites, after 18 minutes. Danny Gordon lost the ball 20-yards out, and Joe took a touch and blasted the shot goalwards, but it hit the inside of the post and bounced across the area.

Wilkins also went close moments afterwards, as he volleyed over, but then it was Staines’ turn to hit the woodwork. Gavin Tomlin was put through on goal following a corner, but volleyed against the post.

Whites came close to scoring as Staines defender Danny Gordon almost put the ball into his own net from a Victor Renner cross, but the home side took the lead after 29 minutes. A long ball forward meant that Kevin Readings came out to get the ball, as Dean Palmer ran back. Unfortunately, they both went up to head the ball, and clashed heads, leaving Tomlin to slot into the empty net.

This was really the last notable action of the half, as a number of strange refereeing decisions left both sets of supporters confused, though the large band of travelling Whites seemed to get the worse deal out of the officials.

Steve Browne did not make hasty substitutions, and gave the side fifteen minutes to prove themselves, but on the hour mark, Matt Carruthers made a welcome return from injury to replace Byron Bubb.

And it was Whites’ longest serving player that came to their rescue after he head only been on the pitch for five minutes. The Dover defence stepped up to try to play offside, but Elliot Onochie was onside, and ran through one-on-one. However, the striker tried to play it across the goal, and Carruthers was there to clear the danger.

Just as Whites almost made their task almost impossible, they then went down the other end and almost drew level. A Maynard corner went all the way across the face of the goal, with Wilkins closest to getting the telling touch.

The game was put beyond the Whites with the home side’s second goal after 86 minutes. Cloke made an uncharacteristic mistake by heading straight to Onochie on the edge of the area, who took the ball on, and slotted past Readings.

Although Gavin Tomlin almost made it three, Whites should have reduced the deficit in the final minute of normal time. Carruthers put in a trademark cross, and Dean Palmer was free 6-yards out, but put his header wide.

With the amount of injury time added on, Whites could have had enough time to get the equaliser, however it was the home side that the final chance fell to, as Jon Henry-Hayden put his shot wide when he should have done better.

And so Whites left Wheatsheaf Park without the victory that was so badly wanted by so many. However, the side did not perform to the standard that they have in the past weeks, and unfortunately the better side did win on this occasion. This leaves us just concentrating on the league now, and lets hope that we can begin to move up the league to get over this huge disappointment.

Dover Athletic: Kevin Readings, Craig Cloke, Dean Palmer, Stuart Maynard, Lee Shearer, Daniel Grieves, Byron Bubb (Matt Carruthers, 60mins), Victor Renner, Craig Wilkins, Roni Joe (Danny Braithwaite, 79mins), Nick Grimes.

Subs: Matt Carruthers, Danny Braithwaite, Dean Readings, Chris Wright, Pat Mullin.

Bookings: Nick Grimes (82mins).

 STAINES: Matt Lovett, Richard Gell, Jon McDonald, Danny Gordon, Matt Flitter, Kevin George (Craig Maskell, 84mins), Andre De Lisser (Jon Henry-Hayden, 88mins), Paul Ellis, Elliot Onochie, Gavin Tomlin, Fiston Manuella.

Subs: Craig Maskell, Samuel Kola Okikiolu, Michael Webb, Jon Henry-Hayden, Matt Hodson.

Bookings: Danny Gordon (13mins), Fiston Manuella (16mins).