Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler is pleased his players are already stepping up to the mark.

Much will be expected from those players that remain at Crabble from last season while Hessenthaler’s new signings – some of whom have stepped up a level or two – need to hit the ground running.

The signs are good, though. Despite shipping four goals at Bromley in midweek, there are signs that they are gelling together quickly and their passing and movement has the potential to unlock National League defences.

“There were lots of positives to come out of it,” said Hessenthaler.

“It looks a bit of a hammering but for me if anyone was watching it, we were in the game in defining moments and we shot ourselves in the foot a little bit.

“I am happy. I said on the line that we’re frustrated and disappointed in the way we lost but we didn’t deserve to lose like that.

“It was our own downfall but there’s lots of positives.

“Travis Gregory was playing Isthmian League for Leatherhead last year and we had to put him as a makeshift right wing-back and I thought he was excellent.

“Steven Rigg has his faults because he doesn’t score enough goals, but the effort he put in again (was superb) and he dropped a little bit deeper.”

It’s been a decent return for Whites with an opening day win over Notts County followed by the midweek loss at Bromley.

It’s hard to be optimistic after conceding four goals but Hessenthaler knows they need to sharpen up to make sure they can stay in games to cash in on their positive approach play at the other end.

“I was really pleased at Bromley,” he added. “We were positive and played some good stuff.

“We gave them four goals and we can’t do that against teams like this, especially with the front line that they’ve got.

“They had Michael Cheek, who can score goals, Ben Williamson I know well and the lad from Watford – Harry Forster - was a handful. You can’t give these teams those type of opportunities otherwise they will punish you. That’s what we did unfortunately.

“The game on Saturday took a lot out of us as the pitch was heavy and we were playing against a good side in Notts County so three points from two games – if someone said that when we got the fixtures, I probably would have taken that if I’m honest.

“Now we’ve got to try and get something now at Stockport on Saturday which won’t be easy.”

• Final scoreline was harsh

• Match report: Bromley 4-1 Dover

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