ALDERSHOT TN 1, DOVER ATH 1

A HARD-WON point on Tuesday night at least represented a step in the right direction for Aldershot as they fell tantalisingly short of earning a first victory of the season.

A stuttering and disjoined opening 45 minutes, in which Richard Brodie’s equaliser restored a parity they had scarcely deserved, was followed by a rejuvenated and dominant second half which did everything but yield a winning goal.

Dover remained a lively threat throughout, but it was the Shots who came closest to sneaking a second, notably from a lightning counter-attack featuring substitutes Rhys Browne and Tom Richards which saw Richards shoot inches past the post with only the keeper to beat.

“We’ve had opportunities to score,” asserted manager Barry Smith. “I’m not sure if it was going in, but the keeper definitely got a touch,” he remarked on the chance for the former Fulham winger. “We think we should be winning our home games. The biggest disappointment is that we didn’t play as well as we know we can. The first half wasn’t good enough. But if you’re not going to play well, we at least know that the boys will work hard.”

The visitors dominated the opening quarter, with Ricky Miller particularly impressive, but it was Stefan Payne, who endured a forgettable month with Aldershot in 2012, who gave them a spectacular lead on seven minutes.

Jamie Grimes sprayed a long pass out to the left, where Payne beat Cheye Alexander twice and caressed a sublime curling shot over Phil Smith from 25 yards.

Smith then parried a Liam Bellamy drive, while Aldershot lacked fluidity and cohesion until, in the 37th minute, Brodie poached a goal on his home debut. Jim Stevenson controlled a loose ball on his chest just outside the area and flicked a pass through the defence for Brodie to stab beyond a hesitant Mitch Walker.

Matt Barnes-Homer had a shot saved just before half-time, but it was the introduction of Browne on the restart that really galvanised the home team. Brodie’s stooping header was saved, Dan Walker sliced a 25-yard drive wide, and Browne’s pace and trickery twice created chances for himself in the same move.

With 25 minutes to go, Aldershot sensed a dramatic comeback in front of the East Bank.

Dover had ambitions of their own, however, and Payne fired a snap shot on the turn that was deflected narrowly wide.

Phil Smith’s quick throw-out promptly sent Browne gliding across halfway and suddenly Richards was in support with defenders trailing in their wake.

The pass was perfect for Richards to slot the ball underneath the advancing Mitch Walker, but – whether it received a telling touch or not – the finish rolled wide, and with it went Aldershot’s chances of victory.

The lively Miller nearly induced a rash challenge from Luke Oliver inside the box, but still managed to get in a shot which, via a defensive block, flew perilously close to the home goal. The final chance fell to another former Shot, Naby Diallo, who failed to hit the target from his own rebound.

A second point from four games felt bittersweet for Aldershot and the fans, but this performance still showed glimpses of the side’s latent potential.

Aldershot: Smith, Alexander, Beckles, Oliver, Saville; Hatton, Lathrope (Browne 46), Stevenson, D Walker; Barnes-Homer (Richards 73), Brodie. Subs (not used): C Walker, Thomas, Gallagher. Booked: Smith, Hatton, Alexander.

Dover: M Walker, Magri (Parkinson 79), Raggett, Orlu, Bellamy, Miller, Ofori-Acheampong (Diallo 72), Grimes, Sterling (Wynter 78), Deverdics, Payne. Subs (not used): Young, Hook. Booked: Ofori-Acheampong.

Referee: Derek Eaton.

Attendance: 1,559 (111 away).

l Aldershot travel to West Yorkshire this Saturday to meet promoted Guiseley AFC.