Birchall scored the opener and had a hand in the second as former Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler's League Two side went crashing out. The hosts made a bright enough start with both Danny Spiller and Chris Palmer testing Dover keeper Ross Flitney. But as the half progressed the non-leaguers grew in confidence and Elliott Charles flashed a header wide after 13 minutes. Five minutes later Athletic took the lead, Birchall twisting and turning before unleashing a 30-yard strike into the top corner. The Gills were in disarray and the visitors doubled the lead 10 minutes later, Luke I'Anson tucking home the rebound after Harry Baker's shot had been parried by Alan Julian. In the second half Gillingham applied all the pressure only to find the Dover defence and keeper Flitney in fine form. The league side's misery increased after 70 minutes when John Nutter was dismissed for clipping Baker as he closed in on goal.
