Round-Up: Vanarama National League

The Ravens made the trip around the M25 in good spirits, having won three and drawn two of their opening five games, but they found themselves behind after 15 minutes when Michael Cheek cut into the box before unleashing a powerful shot into the roof of the net past David Gregory.

But on 28 minutes, Neil Smith`s side were back on level terms when Luke Wanadio received a through ball from Louis Dennis and fired a low shot into the bottom corner past Mark Cousins.

However, a header from Cheek restored the Daggers lead on the half-hour mark and a minute before the break, Kevin Lokko made it 3-1 from a corner.

John Still`s men weren`t finished there though.

Morgan Ferrier added a fourth with a shot from the edge of the box to make it 4-1 with 15 minutes to go.

And Corey Whitely smashed home number five following a quickly taken free-kick.

The Daggers replaced Sutton United at the summit after Paul Doswell`s side suffered a second half collapse to lose 3-1 at Gander Green Lane against Maidstone United.

The U`s led through a 35th minute Tommy Wright strike at the break.

The Stones had barely been in the game before Magnus Okuonghae levelled after 68 minutes.

But that goal altered the whole momentum of the game and sub Jack Paxman fired the visitors in front with a fine strike 6 minutes later.

And then with 8 minutes remaining, Joe Pigott chipped Jamie Butler to make it 3-1 and game over.

Micky Moore’s first game in caretaker charge of Barrow AFC ended in a 1-1 draw against new boys Maidenhead United at the Furness Building Society Stadium.

It was a quick break from the visitors which led to the deadlock being broken after 28 minutes as Sam Barratt put in a cross to the far post for Adrian Clifton to finished neatly.

The hosts equaliser came 11 minutes into the second half when Dan Jones` free-kick into the area found Moussa Diarra, who headed into the back of the net past Lloyd Pentney.

Another managerless outfit, Torquay United, suffered their fifth defeat in six games at the Launa Windows Stadium against a Solihull Moors side for who this was a first win in 2017/18.

The Gulls, who were also looking for their first win of the season – a run which cost manager Kevin Nicholson his job, were being led by Robbie Herrera.

There were no goals in a scrappy first half, but the home side fell behind just 2 minutes into the second period through a scrambled effort from Tahvon Campbell.

And then in the 74th minute, Moors went two-up when a huge clearance by keeper Nathan Vaughan bounced over new loan returnee Dan Lavercombe and into the net.

Jon-Paul Pittman immediately pulled a goal back for the home side, but it was not enough.

Aldershot Town suffered a second successive league defeat – their first at the EBB Stadium – as Chester FC finally recorded their first win of the new season.

But the Blues left it late - Kingsley James’ 82nd minute winner sealing a crucial three points for boss Jon McCarthy, who had come under pressure for his job leading up to the game.

The Shots, who had started the season so well, were dominant in the opening 45 minutes, but only had a 34th minute Matt McClure effort to show for it.

And only 3 minutes into the second half, Gary Waddock`s side were made to pay for their missed opportunities when Chester levelled from the penalty spot after Craig Mahon had been felled by Chris Arthur and Lucas Dawson converted from the spot.

And then came James` winner 8 minutes from time, firing home from close range after sub Jordan Chapell`s cross.

Hartlepool United are still looking for their first victory as a National League club after going down to a 2-0 defeat to newly-promoted AFC Fylde at the Victoria Ground.

This was the Coasters first success since coming up as National League North champions.

They took the lead 5 minutes before the break when the ball came into the box for Henry Jones to pick up and send a shot past Scott Loach.

Craig Harrison's side failed to find a reply in the second half, with a late Danny Rowe effort sealing victory for Fylde with 6 minutes remaining.

A goal deep, deep into stoppage time helped Leyton Orient to a 1-1 draw against Eastleigh at the Matchroom Stadium.

Ayo Obileye had looked to have given the visitors all three points with his penalty in first half injury-time for a foul by Alex Lawless on Mark Yeates.

But, despite David Mooney also missing a spot-kick in the opening 45 minutes after James Dayton had been brought down in the box by Sam Wood, Craig Clay was on hand to equalise 8 minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game.

The lunchtime kick-off and live BT Sport fare came from The Shay as newcomers FC Halifax Town entertained Yorkshire rivals Guiseley AFC.

And a lively affair it was too, despite the fact that both sides had made indifferent starts to the campaign.

The Shaymen survived an early scare when visiting midfielder Alex Purver`s drive was deflected just over the bar.

But on 25 minutes, the home side took the lead in spectacular fashion when Matty Kosylo cut in from the left before firing past Joe Green from the edge of the area.

Adam Morgan should have extended the home`s lead before the break, but he was denied by Green and the same player fired over the bar after good work from big Tom Denton.

The second half saw Halifax in the ascendancy and Kosylo came close to doubling his and his team`s lead with another edge of the box effort.

Twelve minutes from time, the crucial second goal did arrive when defender Matty Brown headed in past Green.

It`s now three wins and three defeats for Wrexham after they recorded a 1-0 win against Woking at the Racecourse Ground.

What proved to be the only goal of the game came 2 minutes before half-time when defender James Jennings poked home his first goal for the club from close range following a corner.

Wrexham created the better chances without managing to double their lead.

Woking showed little in attack and it was only late on that they threatened to get anything from the game.

Tranmere Rovers` slow start to the new season continued on Saturday as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Prenton Park by a confident Boreham Wood outfit.

The visitors travelled north having won three and drawn one of their previous five matches, but were second best for a lot of the opening 45 minutes.

But Micky Mellon`s side were unable to find a goal, and 6 minutes after the interval, Wood punished them by taking the lead from the spot after Bruno Andrade had been brought down – he got up and beat Scott Davies from the resulting penalty.

The on 67 minutes it looked as though Luke Garrard`s side had won the game when Angelo Balanta twisted past Steve McNulty and curled home number two.

Eight minutes from time, Liam Ridehalgh`s cross was headed home by Andy Cook to give Rovers hope.

And as stoppage time ticked in, a ball was laid across the six-yard box for Andy Mangan to tap home the equaliser.

Newly-promoted Ebbsfleet United had to settle for a point from a goalless draw at Stonebridge Road against a determined Gateshead outfit.

Daryl McMahon's side bossed possession but couldn't turn that dominance into goals.

However, it still keeps Fleet unbeaten since promotion back to the top of the non-League tree, although they have now drawn five of their six games.