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Dover Athletic manager Chris Kinnear says Whites must improve to beat Dartford in FA Trophy replay

Dover boss Chris Kinnear admits his side must improve if they are to overcome Dartford at the second time of asking in Tuesday's FA Trophy replay.

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Ricky Miller's 27th goal of the season put Whites in charge in their first round tie at Princes Park on Saturday but the hosts rallied after the break and Ronnie Vint's close-range finish ensured a draw which was the least Darts deserved for their efforts and ensured a replay at Crabble.

Kinnear admitted: "I thought first half we were worthily in front but second half we didn't really work as hard as we had done and they raised their game to be fair to them.

Ricky Miller on the ball for Dover at Dartford. Picture: Andy Jones
Ricky Miller on the ball for Dover at Dartford. Picture: Andy Jones

"A draw was probably a fair result.

"At half-time we knew (Darts boss Tony Burman) would try and wind them up. He brought a couple of players on and they played with a bit of spirit, but you don't expect anything else - it's a local derby.

"We put out a side that we thought would win the game but we didn't play very well the second half."

Miller slotted Dover ahead from a tight angle after some mesmerising footwork from Moses Emmanuel on the edge of the box and Kinnear claimed: "It wasn't one of Rick's best games but I thought Moses looked the part there, at times he's a wizard with the ball.

"The three of them (including Ross Lafayette) probably didn't fire as well as they have in the past but that's going to happen every now and again. Hopefully we can regroup and, on Tuesday, improve.

"A lot of sides would have felt sorry for themselves but the lads stuck in there and got through - now we have got to take them back to our place on Tuesday."

Kinnear admitted to disappointment about sloppy defending paving the way for Darts to level from a set-piece and he claimed: "We have to play with a little more urgency on Tuesday. We started well but looked a little bit jaded. Hopefully we can finish our chances.

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

"We're not going to think we've won the tie just because we've got them back home, if anything they'll try even harder.

"After 85 minutes it wasn't going to be our day so you just make sure you don't lose the game. We've still got that opportunity. Hopefully we can improve."

Darts and Dover will be in the draw for the second round on Monday lunchtime. Draw details will appear on KentOnline.

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