Dover Athletic 4 Folkestone Invicta 2 match report: Two-goal Jack Bates and Luke Baptiste plus Decarrey Sheriff’s late penalty see Whites through to FA Cup third qualifying round

An inspired second-half display ensured Dover took the derby-day spoils at home to Folkestone as they progressed to the FA Cup third qualifying round on Saturday.

Goals from forward Aaron Cosgrave and midfielder Alejandro Machado guided Invicta into a 2-1 half-time lead despite Jack Bates’ goal.

But Bates completed his brace after the break against their National League South neighbours before Luke Baptiste, who also got the game’s only goal in the last meeting between the sides at Cheriton Road on Bonfire Night in 2024, put Dover in front.

And striker Decarrey Sheriff converted a controversial late penalty as an entertaining tie ended 4-2 to Whites, who have now won three matches on the spin, at Crabble.

Away defender Liam Smith had earlier failed to connect with a near-post flick from Spaniard Machado’s corner in the ninth minute during an initially cagey start.

But five minutes later, the tie burst to life in front of a huge crowd.

Forward Cosgrave, inexplicably, found himself in all sorts of space as he made the most of ex-Sittingbourne player Smith’s long ball. He slotted low past Whites captain and goalkeeper Mitch Walker in front of his club’s jubilant supporters for his third goal of this season.

The visitors’ lead did not last long, though, with Bates netting his first. Invicta keeper Ted Collins should have done better but saw the ball squirm beyond him from Bates’ left-footed effort.

With 23-year-old Collins looking nervy, the recalled Ruben Soares-Junior - himself at Cheriton Road three years ago - had the opportunity to put the home team in front, only to drag wide of the right-hand post.

But Folkestone then attacked once more. Walker made a top-class save to deny striker Joe Pigott before one-time Dover