Adam Birchall celebrates his first goal against Aldershot with the Dover fans Picture: Paul Amos

Two-goal Adam Birchall ensured Dover Athletic's FA Cup dream goes on as they beat League 2 side Aldershot infront of a near record crowd of more than 4,000 at a freezing Crabble on Saturday.

Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes due to crowd congestion, but after a disappointing first 45 minutes the game came to life with Birchall (pictured), who hadn’t scored since the first round win at Gillingham earlier this month, breaking the deadlock on 53 minutes with a goal which came out of nothing.

He produced a right foot angled shot from the edge of the area which went past keeper Jamie Young into the far corner to spark the River End into rapture.

Aldershot, 42 places above Dover in the football ladder, rarely threatened Ross Flitney's goal despite winning nine corners in the first half and with Dover finding it difficult to get out of their own area.

Once Birchall had put Dover infront they pressed for a second but left back Tom Wynter saved a certain Aldershot equaliser when he cleared off the lne from sub Jermaine McGlashan.

Referee Brendan Malone added on five minuts at the end and during that time Clayton fortune was adudged to have handled in the box and Birchall stepped up to beat Young from the spot and send the Whites into Sunday afternoon's third round draw where they could face the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal or Tottenham.