An injury time goal by Naby Diallo gave Weston all three points at Dover.

DOVER ATHLETIC 1

WESTON-S-MARE 2

WESTON’S winner deep into injury time at the Crabble Sportsground was surrounded by controversy with the home players and supporters furious at Lowestoft referee Adrian Sannerude.

With the game looking to be heading for a draw, home keeper Mitch Walker came off his line to field a high cross over his head, His impetus saw him topple over Weston’s Naby Diallo and fall heavily, injuring his neck and losing possession.

With the home defence standing still waiting for a whistle, Diallo was quickest to react, stabbing the ball into the empty net from all of two yards. However, the official allowed the goal to stand, much to the annoyance of the home team who surrounded Walker, lying on the ground, while yards away the Weston squad were celebrating.

Speaking after the game, Weston manager Craig Laird said: “This was a team performance today, we played with passion and commitment and thoroughly deserved our win, which keeps us in third spot in the table.”

From the side that beat Boreham Wood, Pete Monks was out with a groin strain, picked up in training, with Jordan Walker, over his recent injury, taking over and having a solid game at the back.

In the scoreless first-half, Dover made a bright start, forcing two early corners, with Nathan Elder heading wide from Tom Murphy’s cross. As Weston got into the game, Tristan Plummer had a low cross cut out by Walker, the current England C team keeper and Martyn Slocombe was just off target from Diallo’s pass.

On 18 minutes, Weston lost midfielder Dayle Grubb with a thigh strain, teenager Alec Fiddes taking over and he gave an impressive display, linking up well with Kane Ingram.

Weston forced their first corner on 22 minutes when Walker did well to turn Diallo’s effort behind for the visitors’ first corner.

Before the break, Dover piled on pressure, forcing five corners in quick succession. Weston keeper Luke Purnell brought off a super save to deny Sean Raggett’s glancing header while Richard Orlu headed against the crossbar, but the Weston defence scrambled the ball to safety.

Dover took the lead on 58 minutes when Weston’s Ollie Knowles was cautioned for a foul on Elder. Ashley Carew’s free kick came back off the wall, but Ricky Modeste, who scored in both games against Weston last season, beat Purnell with a fierce effort from 20 yards.

Weston drew level on 67 minutes when Ashley Kington and Ingram combined well to set up Plummer to score with a superb shot on the turn from 15 yards.

After that, both sides forced several corners and the game appeared to be heading for a draw until the 94th minute.

WESTON STATS

Goals: Dover, Modeste (58), Weston, Plummer (67), Diallo (90+4).

Shots on target: Dover 3, Weston 4.

Shots off target: Dover 8, Weston 5.

Corners: Dover 14, Weston 7.

Offsides: Dover 3, Weston 4.

Free kicks conceded: Dover 13, Weston 13.

Referee: Adrian Sannerude (Lowestoft). Made some contentious decisions.

Cautions: Dover, Murphy. Weston, Knowles.

Attendance: 556.

Weston squad: Purnell, Walker (Callum Laird (90+3), Slocombe, Kington, Jamie Laird, Knowles, Diallo, Trowbridge, Plummer (Hemmings 85), Ingram, Grubb (Fiddes 18). Subs (not used): Kirk, McClaggon.

ON Saturday, Weston will be breaking new ground when they travel to Brighton to meet Whitehawk, promoted as champions of the Ryman League. The party will set off at 9am.

WESTON have been drawn away to fellow Skrill South club Basingstoke Town in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup. The tie will be played on September 28 (3pm).

Should a replay be necessary, it will be held at the Woodspring Stadium on October 1 (7.45pm).