NKO'S DISMISSAL TO BE ERASED?

Nko Ekoku was sent off near the end but referee Banks after the match admitting a mistake had been made and Worthing await his decision on whether to have the red card rescinded.

Dover unashamedly set out their stall to deny Worthing a league double over them in this re-arranged fixture, following FA Cup elimination. And after surviving an early battering from a Rebels side bouyed up by last week's routing of Salisbury, they nearly achieved their aim.

Despite camping in and around the Dover area for the first 10 minutes the home side failed to fashion a clear chance, but were gifted a penalty in the 18th minute when Dover centre-half Dean Rawlings contrived to get both hands to a floated ball into the box from Paul Rogers. Phil Ruggles converted with aplomb.

The goal did little to spark a match that was scrappy and lacking in finesse from both sides. The blustery wind made passing difficult and, with Dover snapping at their ankles with gusto, the Rebels failed to settle into a passing game worthy of the name.

Nonetheless, they were untroubled in the first period with the returning Clay Lamont comfortably dominating in the air.

It was Lamont who nearly turned unwitting villain on 51 minutes when he was penalised for a handball after failing to control a hopeful ball into the box. The decision seemed a touch arbitrary, but Dover marksman Craig Wilkins failed to match Ruggles' earlier composure and the faultless Ormerod stood tall to save the spot-kick with his legs.

As the second half wore on and Worthing failed to find a crucial second goal, a sense of growing unease afflicted the Woodside Road faithful. Lamont came closest to settling the nerves but headed over the angle on 60 minutes from a delightful Pulling free kick.

In the 70th minute a Dover corner caused havoc in the Rebels' penalty area. The ball was repeatedly blasted goalwards by a series of Dover players but Ormerod and three defenders on the line miraculously scrambled the ball to safety.

With time running out, Worthing looked the more likely to score, before Nko Ekoku, who had replaced the hard working Ruggles, received his mysterious dismissal.

Seemingly fouled on the touchline, Ekoku was then given his marching orders for an alleged headbutt. Ekoku's bemused reaction said it all, but Alan Pook's men held out without further scares for a valuable if slightly unconvincing three points.

WORTHING: Ormerod; Holmes, Pullan, Lamont, Lutwyche, Knee; Pulling, Rogers, Gedling; Ruggles, Russell. Subs: Geard (Gedling 71), Ekoku (Ruggles 75), Guile (Russell 88), Hunt, McMillan.

DOVER: K.Readings; Vallance, D.Readings, Humphrey, Clifford; Hamshare, Lott, Hickman, Rogers; Wilkins, Welford. Subs: Lee (Lott 45), Wood (Clifford 67), Smissen (Welford 75), Smidmore, Austen. Att: 462.