Aldershot Town manager Tommy Widdrington was left to rue missed chances after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Dorking Wanderers in the National League on Easter Monday.

Josh Barrett’s second-minute goal gave the Shots an early lead in front of a crowd of 4,262 at the EBB Stadium, but Alfie Rutherford’s 75th-minute equaliser was enough to rescue a point for the visitors.

Dorking goalkeeper Harrison Male made a string of impressive saves throughout the match to deny the Shots all three points.

"You've got to give credit to their goalkeeper,” said Widdrington. “He's made some outstanding saves, some good saves and some have hit him. His primary job is to keep the ball out the goal and he certainly did that – other than for the really good pass by Lorent Tolaj and a good finish by Josh Barrett.”

The Shots were out of the traps quickly against Dorking, and Widdrington was pleased with his side’s fast start after Good Friday’s 4-0 defeat at Maidenhead United – a game in which the Shots found themselves 2-0 down after six minutes.

"We were 1-0 up quicker than we were 1-0 down on Friday,” said Widdrington. “If we do take a reverse or a defeat in any manner I want to see a reaction. In fairness to the players we trained well on Sunday morning and then they've come out the traps like a greyhound. It's frustrating we didn't build on the early goal we got, because I thought we did more than enough in the first half to have quite some distance between us and them.”

Barrett’s early goal was his first for the Shots since joining the club from King’s Lynn town in January, and Widdrington was pleased with his efforts.

"He's been patient,” said Widdrington. “Josh has worked really hard since he's come in and he's learnt about what we're doing. I'm delighted for him.”

The Shots have four games left in their push for a play-off finish, and face two long road trips with games at Hartlepool United on Saturday (3pm) and Gateshead next Tuesday night (April 9), but Widdrington is refusing to use the travelling as an excuse.

"We never use logistics as an excuse but it is tough,” said Widdrington. “We'll be doing something like 1,200 miles from Saturday to Tuesday because we're up and back twice but that's how it is and we've got to prepare the best we can. The lads have got to eat right, sleep right and live right between now and then and we go again on Saturday.”