ALDERSHOT's victory against Purfleet in the vital top-of-the-table clash on Saturday was all about character.

That and the acumen of Terry Brown on the transfer market.

Aldershot had prove their mettle when a second successive dismissal for Dominic Sterling left them to play the last half-hour with 10 players in defence of a slender 1-0 lead.

A formidable Purfleet outfit might have been expected to wipe out the deficit, but Aldershot defended superbly, and the continuing excellence of wing-backs Richard Gell and Jason Chewins forced the visitors to be always looking nervously over their shoulders.

True to his word, Brown had rushed through three signings in time to strengthen his squad for this potential pitfall for promotion-hunting Aldershot.

The changes worked like a dream for the manager. Ben Walshe, a 19-year-old from QPR, made the goal for fellow on-loan signing Graham Langston of Watford, while Stafford Browne, last season's top scorer who has made a surprise return on a match-to-match basis, worked tirelessly, especially during the last 30 minutes when he played as a lone striker.

"I wanted us to play a bit of football in the last half-hour, but we were down to ten and so had to battle hard," said Terry Brown. "And I was delighted with the way we handled things. It was a nervous affair, but the three newcomers settled down well."

Although disappointed with Sterling's "rash behaviour" and Aldershot's disciplinary record this season, Brown defended his side. "We are not a dirty side – there are no nasty people here."

Purfleet had pace and skill in abundance and although they too often indulged in 'dying swan' diving, there was no real argument with the two bookable offences that earned Sterling, Aldershot's most consistent defender, his red card.

Fortunately for Aldershot, Anthony Charles was again outstanding at the back. Langston fitted in smoothly and, in the tactical re-organisation that followed Sterling's exit, Brown had the experienced Jason Cousins ready to charge off the bench.

Although Aldershot merited the points for their fierce commitment to the cause, they also enjoyed a large slice of the luck going.

The all-important goal came after just five minutes. Purfleet goalkeeper Alex O'Reilly, who had just acrobatically palmed Roscoe D'Sane's long-range chip over the bar, was adjudged to have handled a headed backpass outside his area.

After the protesting O'Reilly had been booked, D'Sane teed up the free-kick for Walshe whose explosive shot rebounded off the 'keeper's chest. Purfleet seemed to have ample time to clear, but Jamie Southon kicked the ball straight to Langston who shot home from five yards.

The home team's luck continued to hold as Purfleet showed what they were capable of with fast breaks from the back.

First, Nikki Bull got his body in the way of a goalbound blast from Kris Lee. Then, on 18 minutes, after the tricky, theatrical Terry Bowes had been tripped inside the area by Nick Roddis, Paul Linger's penalty came back off the post.

After those two scares, Aldershot adapted well to a ball that skidded through off a smooth surface made slick by continuous drizzle for the Purfleet attackers to exploit.

The lanky Walshe, a natural left-footer who can operate on either flank, emerged as an influential ball-carrier in midfield, often carrying on the bustling work of Paul Buckle and Nick Roddis.

Happy to take their lead into the interval, Aldershot threatened to take the game by the scruff of the net early in the second half.

Craig Edwards made a goal-saving clearance as a cross from D'Sane swerved menacingly into the six-yard box, and then O'Reilly got just enough on the ball to deflect a fizzing shot from Browne past the target.

But the departure of Sterling affected Aldershot's momentum and Purfleet sensed that they could save the game, or even win it.

Lee had one of their best chances, sending a free header over the bar. Later, a miscued clearance by Bull left Jon Keeling with an even better opening, but his attempted chip was under-hit and merely delivered the ball straight back into the arms of the grateful goalkeeper.

By and large, with the 6ft 3ins Langston providing the extra height at the back that Brown was banking on, and Gell and Chewins distracting the visitors with their bold forays, Aldershot held out comfortably for the win that puts them five points clear at the top. Hampshire rivals Basingstoke did them a favour by trouncing St Albans 3-1.

Aldershot: Bull, Gell, Chewins, Langston, Sterling, A Charles, Roddis, Walshe (Holsgrove 87 mins), Browne, D'Sane (Cousins 60 mins). Subs (not used) Hurst, Taylor, L Charles. Booked: Sterling. Sent off: Sterling.

Purfleet: O'Reilly, Purdie, Southon, Chandler (Goodfellow 88 mins), McFarlane, Edwards (Lawrence 50 mins), Linger, Bowes, Keeling, Howard (Allen 70 mins), Lee. Subs (not used) Smith, Pashley. Booked: O'Reilly, Linger.

Attendance: 2,018.

Referee: B J Malone.

Dominic Sterling will pay an expensive price for two red cards in the space of five days. The defender will miss the games against St Albans (Dec 21), Sutton (26) and Braintree (28).