Dulwich opened the game in dominant mood as they pushed the home side back and with steadier finishing they could have had the game won in the first 15 minutes.

The first chance came in the ninth minute as Dean Lodge was set free on the left and his shot beat the keeper and smashed against the near post and the ball was then returned into the box where Daniel Carr fired just over.

However with the next attack The Hamlet took a 10th minute lead as Daniel Carr set Dean Lodge clear and he rolled a left foot shot home past the advancing keeper. Three minutes later a corner was bundled towards the goal by Ethan Pinnock but again it struck the goal frame and was scrambled away.

On 19 minutes a Daniel Carr cross was headed away from in front of the goal but from there until half time Herne Bay came more into the game although they failed to create any worthwhile chances. It was not until right on half time that Dulwich created another chance as a Kevin James free kick was superbly tipped over.

HALF TIME - HERNE BAY 0-1 DULWICH HAMLET.

The second half opened very evenly with little goalmouth action although Nyren Clunis shot wide on 53 minutes when well placed on the edge of the box and just past the hour Erhun Oztumer and Dean Lodge combined well but Dean Lodge could only lift his shot across the goal and wide.

The second goal that would give The Hamlet some breathing space arrived on 69 minutes and what a goal it was. Dean Lodge was brought down on the edge of the box and Erhun Oztumer stepped up to curl a superb strike over the wall and info the top corner.

That should have been game over but on 85 minutes slack defending led to Ethan Pinnock conceding a penalty that Joe Nelder just squeezed under the diving Chico Ramos.

If the Dulwich fans thought this would signal a nervous last 5 minutes they were able to relax just three minutes later as Daniel Carr got free in the box to fire home left footed and settle the match.