Potters Bar Town may have fell to a third straight Isthmian League Premier Division defeat but manager Max Mitchell believes they are on the right track.
The Scholars were beaten 2-1 at home to Lewes, keeping them at the foot of the fledgling table after three games.
They did manage their first goal though, debutant Brandon Adams pouncing in the second half
Speaking on Twitter, Mitchell said: "[We were] on the wrong side of the result but it was an encouraging performance.
"Just missing those finishing touches [but there is] more to come from this group. Fine margins."
The Scholars face a trip to Chatham Town on Saturday before heading back to the Lantern Stadium on bank holiday Monday when Billericay Town are the visitors.
AFC Welwyn made it three wins from three in Division Two of the Spartan South Midlands League, but this one was by far the closest.
They welcomed New Bradwell St Peter to Herns Lane and needed a 90th-minute winner to secure a 3-2 success and all three points.
The home team started well with a quick goal from Charlie Yearwood but the scores were level again after just 12 minutes.
And it was still level at the break after two more goals.
Yearwood put Welwyn back in front with his second, latching on to a through ball by Ata Gyamfi before rounding the keeper and passing it home.
The visitors though were not deterred and made it 2-2 eight minutes before half-time.
The second half was a cagey affair and it was right at the death when AFC snatched all three points.
Timi Ajumobi pressured the keeper into spilling the ball and the subsequent foul by the stopper brought a penalty.
The Bradwell man redeemed himself at first with a smart save from Yearwood's spot kick but the Welwyn man responded first to bag a hat-trick and make it eight goals in three for him and keep the newly-formed side top of the table.
AFC Welwyn manager Richard James said: "The lads dug in and ground out a result.
"It was great to see some of them show a different side to their game and show some real character to get the win."
They host Bovingdon tomorrow night (Tuesday) before going to Stony Stratford Town on Saturday.
Codicote meanwhile are up to 11th after a 3-1 win away to Caddington.
Liam Hayden, Lewis Kidd and Jack Mongey got their goals.
They are away to Old Bradwell United on Saturday.
St Panteleimon, who are playing their home games at Potters Bar this season, are up to third in the SSML Premier Division after a 3-0 win away to Crawley Green, the goals coming from Flavio Gyawu-Kyem, Courtney Massay and Hamza Miezou.
They are at home to Harpenden Town on Saturday.
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