Tuesday`s Vanarama National League Round-Up...

The Vanarama National League leaders, Forest Green Rovers, suffered a first defeat since September 26th allowing Cheltenham Town, winners at fellow top five side Bromley on Tuesday night, to move to within two points of their neighbours.

Managerless Eastleigh broke Forest Green hearts at the Silverlake Stadium by condemning them to a 3-2 defeat with a last-gasp winner.

Substitute Ross Lafayette scored the injury-time winner with his first touch.

Yemi Odubade gave the hosts a great start with a goal inside the opening 2 minutes after Forest Green keeper Jonny Maxted had made a good save from Lee Cook`s free-kick.

Aaron O`Connor, in from the start this time after netting twice as a substitute, equalised on 21 minutes and then the visitors took the lead right on the stroke of half-time through winger Elliott Frear.

But the capacity crowd, who got to savour every minute of the free entry game, witnessed the Spitfires first win at home since the last day of August when Odubade levelled 5 minutes after the break and then came the dramatic finale and Lafayette`s winning goal.

Cheltenham travelled to Bromley, who were in rampant mood following their 5-0 hammering of Barrow AFC last Saturday.

But Mark Goldberg`s in-form side found the Robins a difference proposition in another game with a dramatic finish.

Billy Waters broke the deadlock to give the visitors the lead after 78 minutes, getting on the end of a loose ball after Kyle Storer's 25-yard effort had been pushed out by home keeper Chris Kettings.

The lively Anthony Cook looked to have earned Bromley a point just 2 minutes from time when, after he had been brought down by George McLennan in the area, he dusted himself down and scored the resulting penalty.

But in the first minute of time added on, Asa Hall grabbed the winner for Gary Johnson`s side from close range.

Third place Dover Athletic lost ground when they had their good run of seven games without defeat and five successive wins ended at the Amlin Stadium by Braintree Town.

The Iron deservedly went ahead seconds before the half-time whistle when Michael Cheek netted a loose ball after Simeon Akinola's shot had been saved by Mitch Walker.

Dover had their chances after the break, but couldn`t find an equaliser against a resolute Braintree side who are now sixth in the table.

It was a bad, bad night for second-bottom FC Halifax Town as they were victims of a 7-0 hammering at Blundell Park by Grimsby Town.

New boss Darren Kelly really knows the massive task he has taken on as he watched his side crumble against one of the form sides in the division – the Mariners stretching their unbeaten run to ten games.

Omar Bogle opened the floodgates after 10 minutes and then Padraig Amond scored the first of his four goals in the 35th minute, making the most of a rebound off keeper Matt Glennon.

Bogle made it 3-0 on 42 minutes with his second, beating Glennon at his near post, and then had the assist for Amond`s second right on the stroke of half-time.

Craig Clay got in on the scoring act to make it a nap hand 10 minutes after the restart, and then Amond lobbed over Glennon to complete his hat-trick on 77 minutes and scored his fourth and the Mariners` seventh 7 minutes from time after good work from Scott Brown.

Barrow recovered well from last weekend`s drubbing at Bromley to inflict a second successive home defeat on a now seventh-placed Tranmere Rovers side.

Tranmere started well enough and had opportunities through Adam Mekki and James Norwood early on.

And it was against the run of play when Barrow took the lead aftr 37 minutes when Andy Haworth beat a couple of defenders and then shot past Scott Davies from just outside the area.

Barrow keeper Joel Dixon had to be on his toes in the second period, doing well to keep out Norwood's 20-yard effort and a Jonathon Margetts shot, but Barrow held on for an excellent win.

Macclesfield Town moved to within a point of visiting Gateshead after winning 1-0 at the Moss Rose to slip into eleventh place in the table.

Kristian Dennis scored the only goal of the game on the hour-mark – his 10th goal of the season – when he got on the end of Danny Rowe's through-ball to slot past Sam Russell.

It was the Silkmen`s third successive victory.

Boreham Wood began life without long-serving boss Ian Allinson when they welcomed Aldershot Town to Meadow Park.

But the Whites went down to a 1-0 defeat, courtesy of Charlie Walker's early goal.

The hosts went behind in the 10th minute when Walker bundled the ball home after experienced striker Richard Brodie's effort had come back off a post.

Battling Wood could have taken at least a point from the game as they improved in the second period, but the Shots were resolute – the nearest the home side came being when Ricky Shakes` shot was tipped onto the post by keeper Phil Smith.

Woking needed a late goal from Dan Holman to rescue a point against struggling Torquay United, after the cash-strapped Gulls produced an impressive second half performance to leave their hosts struggling.

It all seemed fairly easy for the home side early one, with Kadell Daniel’s superb left-footed opener inside 2 minutes preceding a host of further chances.

However, the visitors fought back bravely – playing some decent football despite their recent record – and were rewarded immediately after half-time when Courtney Richards picked out the top corner.

Tyrone Marsh then gave Torquay a shock lead from the penalty spot in the 77th minute, after he himself was brought down by goalkeeper Jake Cole, before Holman spared Woking’s blushes with a clever turn and finish 5 minutes from time.

Lincoln City travelled down to Park View Road to take on Welling United looking for a win that could take them into the top five.

However, the Imps returned point-less as the Wings moved seven points clear of the bottom four following a 2-1 victory.

Sam Corne gave the home side the lead 2 minutes before half-time when he scored from close range from Ricky Wellard's cross.

Lincoln equalised just 3 minutes after the break when Alan Power set up Liam Hearn to nip and to beat Wings` keeper Tom King.

Eight minutes from time, the Imps suffered a blow when they had Bradley Wood dismissed for a second yellow card.

And they were made to pay in the 85th minute when Afolabi Obafemi – on as a 78th minute substitute - scored the winner after good work from Reece Harris.

Southport remain firmly in the bottom four after suffering another home defeat, this time at the hands of Chester FC.

However, it was no smash and grab win by the visitors, who dominated possession.

But they had to come back from being a 36th minute goal behind when Louis Almond beat Jon Worsnop from the edge of the box.

Michael Kay eventually equalised with 11 minutes remaining after Port failed to deal properly with John Rooney's corner – Kay returning it with interest from 20 yards.

And 6 minutes from time the visitiors won it when Craig Mahon fired a powerful effort past home `keeper Andy Coughlin.

Bottom-markers Kidderminster Harriers picked up only their eighth point of a miserable campaign to date when they shared a 2-2 draw at Moss Lane against Altrincham.

But it was so nearly the Harriers` elusive first win.

The hosts took a 21st minute lead when James Lawrie's corner went straight in at the near post past a surprised Dean Snedker.

Harriers` equalised 7 minutes before the break with a powerful Callum Hassan effort past Tim Deasy.

Ben Whitfield, signed on loan from AFC Bournemohth, gave battling Harriers the lead with 15 minutes to go.

But the game had a really cruel end for Kiddy and new head coach Dave Hockaday when Michael Rankine netted with a powerful free-kick from 20 yards in the 5th minute of time added on at the end of the game!

Where next?

Tuesday`s Emirates FA Cup Replay Review..... Vanarama National League South club Bath City suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat to Ryman League Division One North side Harlow Town at Twerton Park in their Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying Round replay on Tuesday night.
Herrera Back as Number Two Vanarama National League club Torquay United have announced the appointment of Robbie Herrera as assistant-manager to new player-manager Kevin Nicholson.

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