Dover Athletic 2 Hemel Hempstead Town 2 match report: Whites denied second National League South success this season against 10-man visitors by stoppage-time penalty after goals from Nick Dembele and Zidan Sutherland

A controversial last-gasp penalty denied Dover a second National League South success of the season against 10-man Hemel Hempstead on Saturday.

Struggling Whites led at half-time after Nick Dembele scored and they appeared on course for victory after away midfielder Tyrelle Newton was sent off minutes later.

The away side equalised through skipper George Williams in the second half, only for Zidan Sutherland to put Whites back ahead.

But an Alfie Matthews penalty ensured a third straight 2-2 league draw for Dover.

Both sides had an opportunity in the fourth minute at a gloomy Crabble in front of a bumper crowd of 1,675 as their second community day of the season made a positive impact.

On-loan home goalkeeper Billy Terrell tipped over striker Joe Iaciofano’s deflected shot before Whites midfielder Josh Anifowose tested keeper Craig King.

But the match swung the way of Mitch Brundle’s side - also set to visit Chelmsford on Monday - midway through the first period.

A quick free-kick routine by Hemel was easily cut out and recalled Anifowose came out of midfield to find Sutherland on the left. The ball broke to Dembele who turned and found the bottom corner of the net for his first goal this season.

Two minutes later, Bradley Quinton’s troops were reduced to 10 men as things went from bad to worse for them.

Referee Nicholas Dunn had little hesitation in giving 19-year-old midfielder Newton a second caution in quick succession for a late challenge in midfield.

King then got a crucial touch on Anifowose's 26th-minute low long-range effort, with the hosts well on top at this stage.

Five minutes later, a deflected Archie Hatcher strike went wide and centre-half Charlie Naylor nodded narrowly over from a corner.

Hemel manager