BROMLEY 0, ALDERSHOT TN 2

ALDERSHOT strode to the top of the National League with another performance full of spirit and commitment to see off Bromley on Tuesday.

Both sides ended the game with ten men, but the Shots made light of playing the whole of the second half with a depleted side and went on to complete a perfect league record for November.

Since the 5-0 thrashing at Shrewsbury in the FA Cup, Aldershot have reeled off wins against AFC Fylde, Hartlepool, Wrexham and now Bromley.

Bernard Mensah’s stunning 25-yard strike illuminated the Shots’ latest win, while a third consecutive clean sheet highlighted a superb team display which harnessed the power that Bromley had lacked last week.

This game had to be re-arranged following last Tuesday’s postponement, just seven minutes before kick-off, due to an electrical failure, and it was Aldershot who took full advantage.

“It’s a fantastic day for us,” agreed manager Gary Waddock, who saw midfielder Adam McDonnell dismissed for a second yellow card in an increasingly feisty first half.

“It was hard-fought, and we had to show a different side to our game when it got a bit niggly, but after the sending-off we had to dig in and work hard. I’m just delighted and everyone, including our backroom staff and magnificent supporters, played their part.”

The lively Luke Wanadio initially threatened to dominate the game for the hosts with some dynamic runs past auxiliary left-back Callum Reynolds and an early shot which Lewis Ward parried well.

George Fowler had to make a strong tackle to halt Louis Dennis’s run into the penalty area, but steadily Aldershot settled.

On 24 minutes, James Rowe’s 25-yard shot was smothered by David Gregory, but four minutes later the goalkeeper was left with no chance at the end of a move started by his opposite number, Ward.

A clipped pass out to Reynolds allowed the ball to be moved crossfield by Fabien Robert and Jake Gallagher towards Mensah, who stepped inside his marker and, from the right corner of the box, floated a brilliant shot beyond the diving Gregory.

Having been somewhat harshly booked five minutes before, McDonnell’s frustration at a heavy tackle on Robert, which went unpunished, resulted in a second yellow card for dissent, which the midfielder himself later admitted was ‘childish’.

The introduction of Kodi Lyons-Foster and Scott Rendell at the break allowed Waddock to cover for Aldershot’s numerical disadvantage and, even though Adam Mekki – a former Shot – and Louis Dennis both went close with long-range efforts, it became increasingly difficult to tell which side had 11 players.

On 68 minutes, Matt McClure charged down Jordan Higgs’ attempted clearance and immediately found Rendell breaking into the area to slot a first-time shot underneath Gregory from six yards. It was the archetypal poacher’s goal and gave the visitors valuable breathing space.

Only belatedly did Bromley muster a head of steam after spending much of the second period frustrated by the assistant’s offside flag. The London side had some late pressure, resulting in a couple of goalmouth scrambles. George Porter shot wide and a curling effort from Dennis was superbly saved by Ward at full stretch as they failed to breach a resolute Shots defence.

Mensah led a counter-attack in injury time and was felled by Higgs’ desperate challenge, resulting in another red card, but the result had long since been decided.

Saturday’s trip to Torquay United may only mark the halfway point of the season, but, judging by the celebrations both on and off the pitch at the final whistle, this felt like a significant victory.

Bromley: Gregory, Rees, Holland, Raymond (Vose 65), Dennis, Mekki (Porter 59), Higgs, Johnson, Sterling, Wanadio (Williams 81), Sutherland. Subs (not used): Allen, Wynter. Booked: Mekki. Sent off: Higgs.

Aldershot: Ward; Kellermann, Evans, Fowler, Reynolds; McDonnell, Gallagher; Rowe (Lyons-Foster 46), Robert (McClure 61), Mensah; Fenelon (Rendell 46). Subs (not used): Skinner. Booked: Robert, Reynolds, Lyons-Foster. Sent off: McDonnell.

Referee: Carl Brook.

Attendance: 1,171.

• After three consecutive unchanged starting line-ups, Gary Waddock was forced to make a change, Jake Gallagher replacing ever-present Cheye Alexander who hobbled off against Wrexham on Saturday.