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Directors in slanging match as Darts go through

DISAPPOINTED: Clive Walker
DISAPPOINTED: Clive Walker

Dartford 3 - 2 Dover Athletic

EXTRAORDINARY scenes accompanied Dartford's 3-2 defeat of old rivals Dover in Tuesday's FA Trophy, first qualifying round replay at Stonebridge Road as both sets of directors hurled abuse at each other.

Throughout there had been an unpleasant undercurrent running through the sequel to Saturday's first, fiesty encounter at Crabble where the home side lost Craig Cloke with a broken leg.

Tuesday's sequel erupted on and off the field in the 65th minute following a challenge by Dartford match-winner Steve Hafner on Dover defender Shane Hamshare who was carried off on a stretcher with suspected ligament damage in his left knee.

Both sets of players were involved in a free-for-all in front of the two directors' boxes. Off the field, opposing directors traded insults which ended with Dover declining after-match hospitality and leaving at the final whistle.

Six players were cautioned - three from either side - while Croydon referee Rob Smith had his work cut out keeping order as tempers simmered fractionally below boiling point.

Dartford manager Tony Burman, who endured the frustration of seeing the series of incidents overshadow his team's considerable feat of eclipsing Dover, confessed: "The tie did get close to getting out of control but what disappointed me most was the behaviour of certain individuals off the field.

"It was unfortunate that Dover suffered injuries on Saturday and another tonight but none of my players went out there with any malicious intent."

All Dover manager Clive Walker would say was: "We wanted a cup run and everyone at the club is disappointed to have lost tonight."

Dover, desperate to win the replay and set up a money-spinning East Kent derby with arch-rivals Margate at Hartsdown Park on November 12, twice held the lead through goals from Anthony Hogg and Michael Smissen.

Dave Martin scored Darts' first equaliser before Hafner scored twice either side of half time, his second a spectacular 30 yard drive.

In the other rpelay involving a Kent side, Folkestone Invicta won 2-1 at Whyteleafe.

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