Rebels held by Dover at Arbour Park

Slough Town were left frustrated at Arbour Park as they left with only a point against Dover Athletic, Tyrique Clarke’s second-half strike cancelled out late on by a cruel own goal from Kiki Oshilaja.

Separated only by goals scored at kick-off, with both sides locked on 42 points and identical goal difference, this always had the feel of a tightly contested encounter. Dover arrived buoyed by a 4-1 victory over Hornchurch in midweek, while the Rebels were looking to build on Tuesday’s draw at AFC Totton.

Scott Davies made three changes from that trip to Hampshire, recalling Tarik Gidaree, Balu Makumbi and Harvey Walker, while new signing Erion Zabeli was named among the substitutes alongside EDS prospects Jaye Long and Pedro Sami.

Slough began on the front foot. Inside five minutes Ruben Shakpoke beat his marker down the left and cut the ball back into the six-yard box, where only a brave block prevented Wiktor Makowski from converting. Moments later, Makowski, Walker and Shakpoke all saw efforts denied as the hosts applied early pressure.

The contest soon became increasingly physical. A collision between Makumbi and Decarrey Sheriff halted play before goalkeeper Adam Desbois required treatment after being tripped by Harry Beadle. The lengthy stoppages disrupted the rhythm of the game, though Slough continued to look the more threatening side.

On 25 minutes Jacob Borgnis was left in a heap following a heavy challenge that somehow went unpunished by the referee. Unable to continue, Borgnis was replaced by Brian Nelson, forcing an early reshuffle in midfield.

The Rebels carved out the clearest chance of the half on 37 minutes. Johnny Goddard, who would go on to be named Slough’s star performer, threaded a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of Gidaree. One-on-one with Mitch Walker, the full-back was denied by an excellent save from the Dover goalkeeper.

More disruption followed before the break. Tyrese Dyce went down injured just before half-time and, after nine additional minutes were indicated, he was replaced by Dan Roth. Deeper into stoppage time, Shakpoke was booked following a collision with Walker despite appearing to attempt to pull out of the challenge. After almost 58 minutes of first-half action, the sides went in goalless.

Slough made a further change at the interval, with Jaiden Drakes-Thomas replacing Shakpoke, and the substitute immediately injected fresh energy. Within minutes he was involved in a flowing move that nearly set up Makowski for a delicate lob, only for Walker to react sharply before Drakes-Thomas’ follow-up was blocked.

Gidaree continued to pose a threat down the left, bursting into the area and firing across the face of goal, while Makowski endured a series of ‘nearly’ moments as the Rebels tightened their grip on proceedings. Goddard repeatedly found pockets of space behind Dover’s midfield, dictating tempo and linking play intelligently.

The breakthrough finally arrived on 68 minutes. A Slough corner was only partially cleared to the edge of the box, where Clarke reacted quickest to drive the ball back towards goal. Makowski swung a leg at it as it bounced through a crowded penalty area, perhaps unsighting Walker, and the ball nestled in the net to give the Rebels a deserved lead.

Slough nearly doubled their advantage soon after in chaotic circumstances, as a Dover defender took a blow to the head from his own goalkeeper yet play was waved on. Drakes-Thomas drove into the box but could only find the side netting.

At the other end, Makumbi and Oshilaja were commanding, repelling a succession of direct deliveries as Dover sought a route back into the contest. With ten minutes remaining, the Rebels appeared to be managing the game effectively.

However, the visitors found a leveller five minutes from time. Ruben Soares-Junior delivered a dangerous ball towards the near post and, under pressure, Oshilaja inadvertently diverted it past Desbois and into his own net.

Harvey Walker was replaced by Luke Holness late on as Slough pushed for a winner, and five minutes of additional time were signalled. The Rebels pressed forward and earned territory in the closing stages, but a decisive second goal would not come.

The final whistle confirmed a 1-1 draw that felt like two points dropped given Slough’s overall control and chances created. The result leaves the Rebels 15th in the Enterprise National League South standings, still level on points with Dover but narrowly separated in the congested mid-table picture.

Attention now turns to Tuesday evening’s trip to Bath City, as Slough look to convert promising performances into the victories needed to climb the table.