Aldershot 2 v 3 Fleet

Nationwide Conference

LIAM Daish was in philosophical mood after his team threw away a two-goal lead to lose their campaign opener at Aldershot.

In a five-goal thriller, where both sides were reduced to 10 men, Mark DeBolla and a Charlie MacDonald penalty had Fleet in complete control.

But Aldershot drew level before Ryan Scott hit a 90th minute winner to break the hearts of the travelling support.

Daish said: "It was a great start for us but have come away with nothing.

"We got two good goals and you would think we were going to be alright but I was not happy with us defensively and we did not defend as a unit.

"We've got to re-group and go again. I thought we looked pretty strong in midfield and the side will get better.

"It is early days so we have got to put the memory of the defeat to bed."

Aldershot were quickest out of the blocks and should have had three goals in the opening 15 minutes.

However, Fleet's debut keeper Lance Cronin was in inspired form making four early saves.

Mark Pritchard, Aldershot's front man, almost broke the deadlock as early as the sixth minute but he was thwarted by Cronin.

Cronin came to the rescue five minutes later when John Grant placed a delicate pass into Pritchard's path but the keeper snuffed out the danger.

On 14 minutes Pritchard found space in the penalty box to receive Ryan Williams' cross but his shot was smothered by Cronin as the keeper continued to keep the hosts at bay.

The best save of the day came when Pritchard picked out the run of Louis Soares to leave him one-on-one with Cronin and the keeper came out on top again.

As for Fleet they were having little of the ball with a solitary shot from Danny Ekoku the only threat on the host's goal.

However, on 25 minutes Fleet took the lead when Shots' keeper Nikki Bull parried Charlie MacDonald's drive and from a quick throw on DeBolla fired a 25-yard screamer into the net.

Fleet doubled their lead on 53 minutes when MacDonald was brought down in the area by Rhys Day.

The striker brushed himself down and took the kick himself, placing the ball low to the goalkeeper's left to record his first goal of the season.

Shots were back in the match on 53 minutes thanks to John Grant and the same man had his side level on 62 minutes.

In between his goals Peter Hawkins and Rick Newman got out their handbags and were shown a red card each for their efforts.

Then, with the match heading toward a draw, Ryan Scott pounced to earn Shots a victory and complete a memorable fightback.

MATCH FACTS: FLEET: Cronin, Opinel (Ricketts, 44), Hawkins, J Smith, R Smith, Keeling, Quinn, Slatter, Ekoku, MacDonald, DeBolla (Purcell, 90).

SUBS NOT USED: Mott, Moore, Roberts.

ATT: 2,487.