Aldershot Town 1 Dover Athletic 1 Vanarama National League match report
00:00, 18 August 2015
updated: 10:33, 18 August 2015
Dover had to settle for the second draw of their Vanarama National League campaign after a pulsating game at Aldershot Town ended 1-1 on Tuesday.
Stefan Payne's stunning strike put Whites ahead in the seventh minute at The EBB Stadium before the home side equalised through Richard Brodie 30 minutes later.
Whites started strongly and forced two early corners before that pressure paid off in sensational style courtesy of Payne.
Payne found some space on the edge of the box and produced a stunning curling effort into the top corner that left home goalkeeper Phil Smith with no chance.
It was Payne's second goal of the season following his last-gasp winner against Kidderminster at Crabble a week earlier.
Smith then produced a couple of good saves to deny the lively Ricky Miller in quick succession as Whites continued to dominate.
Miller then had another shot saved by Smith in the 20th minute as Dover appeared to adopt a shoot on sight policy at every opportunity.
Dan Walker finally gave the home fans something to cheer about in the 27th minute when he shot just wide from outside the box.
Sean Raggett headed Nicky Deverdics' corner wide in the 32nd minute as Dover continued to boss Aldershot before Smith kept out Liam Bellamy's fierce drive seconds later.
Despite Dover having all the play, Aldershot equalised eight minutes before half-time after Brodie ran on to Jim Stevenson's pass to slot pass Mitch Walker to score on his home debut.
Raggett headed wide from Deverdics' corner before Walker produced a great double save to deny Matthew Barnes-Homer and then Walker just before the break.
Dover wasted little time in having the first attempt of the second half when Deverdics volleyed wide after just 60 seconds.
Aldershot had the next chance when Walker held Barnes-Homer's header in the 56th minute.
Payne had a tame shot easily saved by Smith before impressive substitute Rhys Browne dribbled his way into the box before seeing his effort cleared by Raggett.
The dangerous Browne sent fellow subsitute Tom Richards clear with only Walker to beat but he shot wide in the 76th minute.
Dover then went close twice after Miller's shot was deflected over for a corner before Jack Parkinson headed over from the resulting kick just minutes after coming on for his debut.
Whites host Altrincham at Crabble on Saturday (3pm).
Dover: Walker, Magri (Parkinson 80mins), Sterling (Wynter 76mins) Grimes, Raggett, Orlu, Deverdics, Bellamy, Payne, Miller, Ofari-Acheampong (Diallo 74mins). Subs not used: Hook, Young. Attendance: 1559 with 111 from Dover
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