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Dover Athletic manager Chris Kinnear wants to bounce back at Forest Green Rovers

Chris Kinnear hopes his side can get over the disappointment of their FA Trophy exit to Dartford before Saturday’s visit to Forest Green.

Dover manager Chris Kinnear Picture: Barry Goodwin
Dover manager Chris Kinnear Picture: Barry Goodwin

The Whites manager cut a dejected figure after seeing his side surrender leads in their first round tie at Princes Park on Saturday and in the replay at Crabble on Tuesday, meaning his wait to lead a side out at Wembley is extended by at least another year.

Kinnear said: “We all wanted to go, all the players, it was one of our aims this season. We had the chance to go all the way.

“We’re sixth in the Conference – the top six sides in the competition in the country – you can get to Wembley.

“But Tuesday shows you, unless you focus and are prepared to put in the work, no matter who you are, you’ll find it difficult.”

At the turn of the month, Dover were flying high after four straight National League wins – the latest a 6-0 away victory at Sutton – but they are now three games without a win and have lost two on the spin at home.

Kinnear said: “We had a month where it was difficult. Whether that’s caught up with us I don’t know... it was a while ago.

“It wasn’t that long ago we were winning 6-0 against Sutton. We just have to got to get over it and get a few results.

“There are a few sides in this league that have gone out of the Trophy as well. We’ve got to regroup, not feel sorry for ourselves and play with the enthusiasm that wasn’t there on Tuesday.”

Sixth-place Whites head to Gloucestershire to face Rovers, who are third, at the ground where their promotion push ended in the play-off semi-final last season.

Kinnear claimed he wouldn’t evoke memories of that day, rather bringing up Dover’s 4-3 win at Crabble in September.

He said: “I’ll remind them we did well when we played here and we’ve got a chance of doing it again.

“It won’t be easy at all. We beat them here but they are probably the best footballing side I have seen in the Conference in many years.

“That doesn’t mean that you’re going to be at the top – they’re third now – but they’ll be desperate to win.

“They’ll remember we beat them in front of the TV cameras as well. Hopefully, we can get over Tuesday and move on.”

Kinnear is hoping to have Sammy Moore back from injury after missing the last three games, while Whites were seeking to add to their midfield options this week.

One boost for Dover was Forest Green being taken to extra-time at Truro on Tuesday night and seeing defender Dale Bennett sent off, meaning he misses Saturday’s game.

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