AROUND 20 Dover diehards made the 660-mile round trip to Lancashire to watch a Whites side ravaged by suspension and injuries reach the third round of the FA Trophy.

Man of the match Adam Birchall's goal a couple of minutes before half-time earned Andy Hessenthaler's side a 1-0 victory over high-flying Blue Square North Fleetwood Town – who had not lost on their own ground at Highbury this season.

For the hardy Whites faithful it was a rich reward for their loyalty in a game that had looked doubtful, in many people's eyes, as Britain still suffers from the big 2010 freeze.

And the victory reminded many of a similar night 12 years ago when Dover – then managed by big Bill Williams – won a replay at Barrow on their way to reaching the semi-finals of non-league football's premier knockout competition.

If they are to get that far – when they lost over two legs to eventual winners Cheltenham Town – or indeed further they now need to beat the winners of the second round tie between Conference National leaders Stevenage Borough and another Blue Square North side, Vauxhall.

Dover will have to travel for that tie too with few betting against it being to Stevenage's Broadhall Way ground on January 30.

The postponement of Saturday's game at Fleetwood meant Whites went into last night's match with three more players our through suspension.

But on the plus side they were able to include impressive debutant Hakeen Adelakun - a young loan signing from the Crystal Palace Academy - at left back.

And both Danny Walder and Jon Wallis were back from injury to play their parts in an historic Whites win over Fleetwood and their boisterous 'Cod Army' who are not used to being beaten at home on the Fylde Coast.