Saturday`s Vanarama National League Review....

By Steve Whitney

Tranmere Rovers, Boreham Wood, newly-promoted Solihull Moors and relegated York City remain unbeaten three games into the new Vanarama National League season.

Tranmere saw off fancied Eastleigh 2-1 at Prenton Park on Saturday.

But Gary Brabin`s side left it very, very late.

Steve Jennings gave Rovers the boost of a 24th minute lead.

However, that lasted barely 6 minutes as Adam Dugdale pulled the Spitfires back on level terms.

Apart from several bookings, that was about it as far as the first half was concerned.

And it looked as though Chris Todd`s side were going to hang on for a very good point – until the 4th and last minute of stoppage time at the end of the game when James Norwood popped up with Tranmere`s winner.

Ricky Shakes also left it late to rescue a point for Boreham Wood, equalising to secure a 1-1 draw at Bootham Crescent against York a minute after the hosts had dramatically taken the lead.

Simon Heslop’s 88th minute strike looked as though it had ended Wood’s unbeaten start to the season.

However, less than 60 seconds later Shakes showed a cool head to grab the leveller and ensure Wood returned down the A1 with the very least they deserved for another strong all-round display.

Solihull welcomed a Bromley side to the Autotech Stadium who had yet to pick up a point.

And the newly-promoted side sent the Ravens back down south with a third successive defeat, courtesy of an early 4th minute Liam Daly goal.

Ten-man Chester FC went down to their first home defeat of the season against newly-promoted Maidstone United.

Anthony Acheampong put the visitors 1-0 up after 20 minutes before James Alabi equalised just past the half-hour mark.

But Ben Greenhalgh on 57 minutes and then Alex Flisher on 64 minutes put the game beyond Chester's reach.

And the home side finished with ten-men when Alabi was shown a straight red card 10 minutes from time.

Gateshead also tasted defeat for the first time as last season`s runners-up Forest Green Rovers finally got off the mark.

Dale Bennett hit a fortuitous late winner to give Forest Green their first win of the season at The New Lawn.

The defender's cross went in off the post in injury-time to bring relief for new boss Mark Cooper.

There were also first 2016/17 wins for Sutton United, Southport and Dover Athletic.

Newly-promoted Sutton ended Lincoln City`s bright unbeaten start to the campaign with two late goals in a 3-1 win at Sincil Bank.

Dan Wishart curled home a superb free-kick to put the visitors in front after 23 minutes.

And it got worse for the Imps when they had midfielder Bradley Wood sent-off for violent conduct following an altercation with Roarie Deacon on the half-hour mark.

But City battled well and equalised 6 minutes into the second half with a `worldy` from Sam Habergham.

However, goals from Jamie Collins after 83 minutes and then Deacon 3 minutes into stoppage time made it 3-1 to the visitors.

Dover recorded their first win of the season against newly-promoted North Ferriby United at Crabble.

The returning Moses Emmanuel gave the Whites a 34th minute lead after good work from his strike partner Ross Lafayette.

And 15 minutes from time, Lafayette settled the contest when he doubled the home side`s lead.

Aldershot Town made it two successive wins as they eased to a 2-0 success at the EBB Stadium against Wrexham in a game which they dominated from start to finish.

Shamir Fenelon's goal in the 3rd minute gave the Shots the perfect start.

Much-travelled striker Scott Rendell doubled his side's lead in the 58th minute to ensure the three points for the home team and condemn Gary Mills` side to their first defeat.

Guiseley AFC`s poor start to the season continued as they joined Bromley in suffering a third successive defeat.

The Lions lost 2-0 at Nethermoor to relegated Dagenham & Redbridge, for whom this was a second win after they had lost at Chester in midweek.

The Daggers were boosted by an early 6th minute goal from Christian Assombalonga.

And then 15 minutes from time, Oliver Hawkins popped up with a second for John Still`s side.

Much-changed Braintree Town are still yet to find a win after two opening draws and then a defeat at Cressing Road to a Macclesfield Town side, for whom this was a second three-point haul.

The tone was set for a sometimes bad tempered affair when Braintree`s Zac Fagan was booked inside the opening 10 minutes.

And a few seconds after that booking, Danny Rowe gave the Silkmen the lead.

And on 31 minutes it was 2-0 with Chris Holroyd the scorer.

The visitors virtually secured the points when Jack Sampson made it 3-0 after 73 minutes.

Braintree reduced the deficit 8 minutes later when Lee Barnard converted from the spot after a foul by Mitch Hancox, whose day got worse a minute from the end of normal time when he was shown a second yellow card.

However, 3 minutes into stoppage time, it was ten-men a side as the home side had goalkeeper Jamie Butler dismissed.

A late strike from substitute Richie Bennett earned a point for Barrow AFC against manager Paul Cox’s former side Torquay United in the Bluebirds’ longest away trip of the season.

The deadlock was broken on 39 minutes when Brett Williams cut through the Bluebirds’ defence before slotting home to score his first goal for the Gulls.

On 90 minutes, the Bluebirds finally struck back on level terms as Bennett found the back of the net with a deflected effort.

Where next?

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