Tyler Cordner’s goal in stoppage time at the end of the first half proved to be enough for The Shots to book their place in the quarter-final’s, Wanderers unable to force penalties despite a late rally in the game as Isaac Philpot hit the crossbar and Josh Taylor struck the outside of the post.

Marc White made four changes to the side which started last weekend’s league fixture; Joe Cook returning from suspension to come into a four man defence as Isaac Philpot dropped to the bench and Bobby-Joe Taylor shifted into the left back position. With James McShane suspended for collecting two yellow cards in the competition and Jason Prior cup-tied, Josh Taylor returned to the starting line up for the first time since early December, Jack Jebb and Jimmy Muitt also coming into central and right side of midfield respectively as Ryan Seager led the line up top.

A minute’s silence was perfectly observed before kick-off remembering those who have lost their lives in the recent tragedy that has taken place across Turkey and Syria.

Much of the first half was played at an even, steady tempo, the opening exchanges scrappy as the home side saw more of the ball, carving out the first chance on 8 minutes as Tyler Cordner thumped a header over the bar after meeting a cross from the left.

Neither side were able to create too many opening’s in the final third as play remained largely based in midfield, but when Wanderers did get success it was down the attacking right; Jebb’s measured through ball releasing Muitt who’s cut-back was struck by Seager, blocked at close quarters by Haji Mnoga. Fuller was then unfortunate his cut-back from an overlapping run couldn’t quite reach the Wanderers striker several minutes later.

Gallagher and Cook made key aerial clearances at the back amidst a period before half-time where Wanderers were otherwise getting on top of possession in the game, but into first-half stoppage time, The Shots managed to break the deadlock. Justin Amaluzor did well to drift past his marker down the right flank and produce a cross, the initial header from Josh McQuoid brilliantly kept out by Lincoln, but Cordner was able to get to the rebound and guide the ball into the back of the net. In the aftermath of making the save, McQuoid stumbled into Lincoln as he was rising from the ground, wiping the keeper out for a few minutes as he received treatment, but ultimately deemed okay to continue.

With Bobby-Joe Taylor having collected a yellow card during the opening forty-five, Marc White introduced Isaac Philpot during the interval before bringing on Luke Moore and Matt Briggs for Joe Cook and Seb Bowerman just before the hour, switching his side to a back 3 as Jack Jebb and Josh Taylor both pushed on from central midfield to support Seager up top.

Gallagher produced a couple of timely interceptions to deny The Shots making breakthrough’s, one denying McQuoid’s pass into Amaluzor as he opted not to take on a strike at goal, but much like the majority of the first half, the game continued to be flat and lacking productivity in the final third, save for the last quarter of an hour where the contest began to open up.

Ryan Glover headed Ollie Harfield’s cross wide towards the back post, the moment serving as the final opportunity for the The Shots to kill the game off as Wanderers began to really peg the home side back. Josh Taylor’s consecutive long throw’s caused bother in the Shots box, Muitt attempting a bicycle kick from the latter as The Shots failed to clear their lines, and Taylor would go on to play an influential role in the top end of the pitch late on, leading the push for an equalising goal.

Jebb lofted a ball into the path of Taylor at the back post but he couldn’t quite get over the top of the it and headed wide, prior to Taylor then providing for Philpot at the near post with a low cross, the defender unfortunate to see his effort at goal come back off the bar, Seager unable to re-direct the rebound back on target. Taylor’s smart turn inside the box and low strike would cannon off the outside of the post, and the midfielder would powerfully nod the last effort of the game wide as Wanderers ultimately couldn’t rescue the tie and keep the Wembley dream alive.

An improved performance from last Saturday’s league game as a better organised Wanderers shape kept The Shots chances down to a minimum; Dan Gallagher, George Francomb and Jack Jebb led the more contained approach with disciplined performances throughout. The returning Josh Taylor was also key in his first start in over two months, providing quality up top as Wanderers showed greater threat in the final third compared to recent weeks, albeit late on in the contest.

Marc White’s men return to league action next Saturday afternoon with a visit to Bromley FC, a 3pm kick off at Hayes Lane.

Aldershot Town (4-2-3-1): 1 Luca Ashby-Hammond, 8 Tyler Frost, 5 Tyler Cordner, 22 Haji Mnoga, 3 Ollie Harfield; 4 Joe Partington (c), 15 Karoy Anderson (18 Peter Abimbola 85′); 7 Justin Amaluzor, 10 Josh McQuoid (29 Morgan Roberts 62′), 23 Ryan Glover, 27 Tommy Willard

Unused Subs: 11 Harrison Panayiotou, 35 Ashley Akpan, 36 Lloyd Thomas, 37 Mason Obeng, 40 George Milner-Smith

Goals: Cordner 45+2′
Yellow Card: Glover 28′

Dorking Wanderers (4-5-1): 1 Dan Lincoln, 22 Barry Fuller (c), 20 Dan Gallagher, 31 Joe Cook (18 Luke Moore 55′), 3 Bobby-Joe Taylor (2 Isaac Philpot 46′); 7 Jimmy Muitt, 37 George Francomb, 17 Josh Taylor, 23 Jack Jebb, 30 Seb Bowerman (8 Matt Briggs 55′); 9 Ryan Seager

Unused Subs: 12 Callum Kennedy, 14 Jordan Cheadle, 29 Alfie Egan, 24 Harry Ottaway
Yellow Cards: J Taylor 38′, BJ Taylor 45′

Referee: Lewis Smith
Attendance: 1,507 (204 Wanderers Supporters)
Man Of The Match: Tyler Cordner (Official Home Selection)