Match ends, Dover Athletic 0, FC Halifax Town 1.
A second-half Scott McManus strike earned Halifax victory and ruined Dover's first game in the fifth tier of English football since 2002.
Halifax had the better chances before the break, notably when Danny Schofield saw a looping effort hit the woodwork.
And the visitors made their dominance count when McManus made space and scored with a low 20-yard shot.
Barry Cogan went close for Dover, but Halifax, who had Ainge sent off for a second caution in injury-time, held on.
Line-ups
Dover
Formation 5-3-2
- 1Walker
- 2Stone
- 3Wynter
- 6Orlu
- 16Sterling
- 5RaggettBooked at 39mins
- 4Kinnear
- 8BellamySubstituted forDeverdicsat 75'minutes
- 9Elder
- 7ModesteSubstituted forNanettiat 81'minutes
- 11CoganSubstituted forReidat 71'minutes
Substitutes
- 10Murphy
- 15Francis
- 17Deverdics
- 19Reid
- 20Nanetti
Halifax
Formation 5-3-2
- 27Glennon
- 2Bolton
- 6AingeBooked at 90mins
- 4RobertsBooked at 26mins
- 15RobertsSubstituted forSmithat 46'minutesBooked at 89mins
- 3McManus
- 20Maynard
- 5Pearson
- 19Boden
- 10DyerSubstituted forMarshallat 46'minutes
- 22SchofieldBooked at 53minsSubstituted forPeniketat 79'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Senior
- 7Smith
- 8Marshall
- 12Peniket
- 14Williams
- Referee:
- Colin Lymer
- Attendance:
- 1,321
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home49%
- Away51%
- Shots
- Home6
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away3
- Corners
- Home0
- Away0
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Dover Athletic 0, FC Halifax Town 1.
Post update
Corner, Dover Athletic.
Dismissal
Second yellow card to Simon Ainge (FC Halifax Town) for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Simon Ainge (FC Halifax Town).
Post update
Chris Kinnear (Dover Athletic) wins a free kick.
Post update
Attempt missed. Christian Nanetti (Dover Athletic) left footed shot from the centre of the box.
Post update
Attempt saved. Matty Pearson (FC Halifax Town) left footed shot from outside the box is saved.
Booking
Adam Smith (FC Halifax Town) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution
Substitution, Dover Athletic. Christian Nanetti replaces Ricky Modeste.
Substitution
Substitution, FC Halifax Town. Richard Peniket replaces Danny Schofield.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Scott McManus (FC Halifax Town) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Substitution
Substitution, Dover Athletic. Nicky Deverdics replaces Liam Bellamy.
Post update
Corner, Dover Athletic.
Post update
Corner, FC Halifax Town.
Substitution
Substitution, Dover Athletic. Jake Reid replaces Barry Cogan.
Post update
Foul by Nathan Elder (Dover Athletic).
Post update
Matty Pearson (FC Halifax Town) wins a free kick.
Post update
Foul by Lois Maynard (FC Halifax Town).
Post update
Chris Kinnear (Dover Athletic) wins a free kick.