Late own goal denies Slough Town all three points against Dover Athletic

Photo credit: Zak Rana

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Slough Town 1, Dover Athletic 1

Slough Town saw a hard-earned victory against Dover Athletic snatched from their grasp in the closing stages when defender Kiki Oshilaja shanked a low cross past Adam Desbois for an own goal.  

The Rebels had looked set for all three points in a game of low quality when Tyrique Clarke took aim from distance in the 68th minute and saw his bouncing shot deceive goalkeeper Mitch Walker and bobble into the bottom corner.

Wiktor Makowski tried to sweep the ball in but made no contact with Clarke’s shot as it bounced almost apologetically into the bottom corner of the net.

It was no less than the home side deserved after the Rebels had made a bright start in both halves and created the game’s better opportunities.

Player manager Scott Davies wasn’t fit enough to return to the starting line up following his recent hamstring pull, but the home side remained disciplined in defence against Dover’s pacy and powerful attacking players.

The hosts carved out their first chance in the fifth minute when Ruben Shakpoke did well to get to the byline and pulled the ball back for Makowski. Most inside Arbour Park expected the net to bulge, but Dover’s defenders managed to get in front of the Slough striker and block it behind for a corner.

Shakpoke then had a chance himself to fire the Rebels in front a couple of minutes later, but Walker was out quickly to push his effort behind.

The game then fell into a lull, with several injury stoppages disrupting its rhythm. Makumbi and Sheriff were both treated after a clash of heads. Slough keeper Adam Desbois received lengthy treatment after being tripped by Harry Beadle and a horrendous tackle on Jacob Borgnis in the centre circle resulted in Slough’s onloan midfielder hobbling off the field and straight down the tunnel.

Supporters called on the referee to ‘get a grip’ and the game remained disjointed through to the latter stages of the period. The biggest chance of the game then fell the Rebels way when Johnny Goddard threaded an excellent ball through for Tarik Gidaree in the 37th minute but Walker was out quickly to thwart him and then clear the ball a second time as it bobbled towards the line.

The Rebels then suffered another injury problem in first half stoppage time, when Tyrese Dyce was brought down as he attempted to surge down Dover’s left-hand side. Dan Roth came on to replace him and the two teams played out nine uneventful minutes of stoppage time.

Despite the setbacks, the Rebels picked themselves up for an improved second half performance. Jaiden Drakes-Thomas almost played in Makowski early in the half, with the rebound falling back to Drakes-Thomas whose attempt was deflected behind.

Gidaree then came within inches of giving Slough the lead in the 50th minute with a flashing drive from an acute angle that whistled past Walker’s left-hand post. Goddard swept a hopeful attempt over the bar in the 66th minute before the Rebels finally got the slice of luck they were searching for.

A corner from the right was headed out as far as Clarke who took aim. His attempt didn’t appear to have the power to trouble Dover, but it bounced past bodies and Makowski’s swishing foot and Walker was left flat-footed as it bounced into the bottom corner in the 68th minute.

Drakes-Thomas had another shot which flew into the side netting as the hosts threatened to put the game out of Dover’s reach.

They looked relatively comfortable in defence until the 85th minute when Ruben Soares-Junior’s hopeful low cross was turned in at his near post by the unfortunate Oshilaja. The Rebels continued to huff and puff in the final stages, but the points were shared on another frustrating afternoon.

Slough and Dover remain locked together in the table in 15th and 16th place, both on 43 points and the same minus four goal difference.

Davies spoke in mid-week of being desperate to get that winning feeling back. It’s now four games without one for the Rebels who make the trip west to play Bath City on Tuesday (March 3).

The points are shared at Arbour Park.

Tyrique Clarke's 68th minute opener was cancelled out by an 85th minute own goal from Kiki Oshilaja#OneSlough pic.twitter.com/XbxUXMDQJV

— Slough Town FC (@sloughtownfc) February 28, 2026