Dover Athletic are proving the scourge of Potters Bar Town this season - but there were plenty of things manager Max Mitchell could take from the trip to Kent.

The Whites beat the Scholars 8-0 in the opening day of the Isthmian League Premier Division season and followed it up with a 3-0 success at their Crabble ground.

And yet, this second time around saw Bar hit by moments of luck that didn't go their way, preventing the outcome from being very different.

"It was a really committed display, just unfortunate at times," said the boss.

"Games are won and lost in moments. For the first goal, we felt there was a foul in the build-up and we were a little bit disappointed we didn't get that decision.

"We responded after that and fought back well and we had two penalty shouts in the same moment, a handball and a foul on Brandon Adams.

"Second goal I was disappointed in transition on the turnover. A quick counter and we ended up 2-0 down.

"But second half I felt we were in complete control and what I liked was the effort and motivation behind it.

"We never stopped going, there were even moments in the last five minutes where we were trying to create something and trying to get on the end of something.

"There are ways to win and lose games and this performance was OK and there are some positives."

Dover had taken the lead on 15 minutes through Ruben Soares-Junior and then doubled that advantage 11 minutes later with a Alfie Matthews goal.

Francis Mampolo wrapped the win up in the fifth minute of stoppage time at the end of the game to leave the Scholars seventh, one point outside the play-offs but with a game in hand.

And keeping the effort levels up through a busy November is now crucial.

Mitchell said: "We definitely had our moments in the first half, we had two or three opportunities where we have to take one of them.

"We knew we had to stay in the game but we feel we're not getting the rub of the green.

"And the only way you can get out of that mentality is to keep working hard for each other.

"We were unfortunate not to get a goal in the second half and if we had scored, it would have turned the game on its head. 

"We didn't and they've hit us with a sucker punch [at the end of stoppage time].

"But we never stopped going, we're disappointed with the result but not the performance.

"And that's our fifth away game [in succession] and our first defeat in the league in the last five.

"We have to respond. Games are coming thick and fast and we will need the squad through November.

"Dover are a good side but if we can maintain that effort level, we will grind one out and three points will make the conversation very different."