Forest Green Rovers became the first team in the history of the competition to win their opening eight games with a hard-earned late victory at Chester FC on Saturday.
It looked at one stage as though the visitors’ superb run was in danger of coming to an end when Jon Parkin missed a penalty early on, but Elliott Frear eventually gave them an interval lead and then, after Luke George had pulled Steve Burr’s side level on the hour-mark, Aaron O’Connor, who knows all about scoring goals at this level through previous spells with Luton and Newport County, grabbed a 78th minute winner.
Earlier in the day, BT Sport viewers were treated to an early goal of the season contender when Welling United skipper Sam Corne’s fantastic 25-yard drive flew past Tranmere Rovers’ keeper Scott Davies to earn his side an 87th minute leveller.
BT Sport’s superb highlights programme certainly brings the weekend action to life and thoroughly deserves the plaudits received to date.
Had it not been for Ady Pennock’s Rovers’ flying start, Eastleigh’s 1-0 defeat at promoted Bromley would probably attracted the headlines It ended a
seven-game unbeaten start for Richard Hill’s fancied Spitfires, although they remain in second spot, albeit seven points adrift of the leaders already.
A midweek without any action will give Gary Whild and his management team time to work out why his Kidderminster Harriers outfit have begun the 2015/16 season so poorly. Harriers are still without a win after losing at Aggborough to Braintree Town on Saturday and are bottom of the pile with just three points.
Wholesale summer changes created optimism at FC Halifax Town, but they are struggling to gel and, after the boost of an opening win against Barrow AFC last week, the Shaymen were beaten 3-2 at Aldershot at the weekend.
The Player With The Most........
Shots On Target
Ricky Miller (Dover) 19
Shots Off Target
Nicky Deverdics (Dover), Omar Bogle (Grimsby) 16
Shots Without Scoring
Andy Haworth (Barrow) 16
Shots Per Goal
Ricky Miller (Dover) 26
Assists
Four players 4
Offsides
Omar Bogle (Grimsby) 16
Fouls
Duane Ofori-Acheampong (Dover) 20
Fouls Without A Card
Matt Rhead (Lincoln City) 18
Free-Kicks Won
Wayne Brooksby (Guiseley) 22
Penalties Scored
J Burrow (FC Halifax), M Rhead (Lincoln City) 2
Goals Scored Direct From Free-Kicks
Six players 1
Saves Made
Alan Julian (Bromley) 42
Defensive Clearances
Jordan Tunnicliffe (Kidderminster) 21
Defensive Blocks
Brian Saah (Woking) 8
The Team With The Most.........
Shots On Target Dover 55
Shots Off Target Dover 61
Shots Per Goal Guiseley 15.40
Corners Wrexham 60
Fouls Dover 103
Woodwork Strikes Seven teams 3
Offsides Grimsby 33
Penalties Conceded Torquay 3
Yellow Cards Forest Green 18
Red Cards Southport 3