It took penalties for The Hamlet to move through to the final qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup

The Dulwich youngsters made heavy weather of the match as they failed to capitalise on a two goal lead that had already been established before Croydon were reduced to ten men.

Kymani Thomas gave Dulwich a third minute lead and a mistake at the back allowed Hamlet captain Malachi Morris to double the lead in the 20th minute.

Just four minutes later Croydon keeper Barford was sent off for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity as he was second to a through ball.

However, what should have been a straightforward win became an almighty struggle as Dulwich failed to test the stand in keeper and couldn't keep the ball. This resulted in Croydon reducing the arrears as a shot took an unfortunate deflection and wrongfooted Wray in the home goal.

Half Time 2-1

The second half saw Croydon look the more threatening side although Dulwich came close to adding a third when substitute Power-Richards rattled the bar with a thunderous rising drive.

However, within a minute Croydon were level as a free kick was allowed to reach an unmarked player 10 yards out and he tucked it into the corner. This buoyed the visitors further and soon Dulwich were also reduced to ten when Bowker was dismissed for a second bookable offence,

The visitors wasted a one on one chance when firing tamely at Wray, whilst Croydon's stand in keeper somehow kept out two efforts from close range that any regular keeper would have been proud of.

Final Score 2-2

The match went to penalties and Dulwich converted all theirs, whilst Wray produced two excellent saves to book The Hamlet a home tie against the Metropolitan Police in the week commencing 19 October.

Dulwich win 4-2 on penalties