ALDERSHOT TN 0, TORQUAY UTD 0 (Vanarama National League)

A CLEAN sheet against Torquay on Saturday was a moral victory for Aldershot after their midweek thrashing at Chester.

Both teams, in fact, could take positives from the goalless encounter. The Gulls stretched their unbeaten run to six games as they battle to get out of the relegation zone, while Aldershot’s solid defensive display made partial amends for the 8-2 humiliation at the Deva Stadium.

The Shots must also have been heartened by the loyal, almost sympathetic support they received from the 1400-plus home fans, who were determined not to be drowned out by the vociferous 325 travelling supporters.

Manager Barry Smith was also satisfied after making five team changes.

“We always look for three points at home, but given the circumstances, the important thing was to get a clean sheet, which we did.

“The fans have seen that fight today and they’ll appreciate that the players worked hard – the challenging tackles and getting their bodies in front of things. After the result on Tuesday, the boys put in a fighting effort, and we’ll take it.”

Amongst those ‘rested’ by Smith were club captain Sean McGinty and Rhys Browne, one of the club’s prize assets. Tom Richards came in at left-back and there was a start for forgotten man Jack Saville in central defence.

With four loan players in the starting line-up, this team was a far cry from the outfit built by Smith for the start of the season, but the commitment, if not the quality, was never in doubt

With the players squinting into unfamiliar sunshine, Torquay were first to threaten. Andre Wright, a muscular 18-year-old on loan from West Bromwich, won a corner and Dan Racchi’s cross was glanced just wide of the far post by Shaun Harrad.

Aldershot were not great in this half, but they defended well and gradually Sam Hatton and Jake Gallagher took a grip in midfield, providing a better service for Ross Lafayette and Alfie Pavey. With Giorgio Rasulo and Nathan Ralph given wide roles, Aldershot’s set-up was nothing if not attacking, yet it was 34 minutes before the visitors’ goal came under threat.

The experienced Hatton, making only his second start of the year, whipped in a free-kick and Saville’s deft back-header slid inches wide.

Pavey, having a right old tussle with youthful defender Nathan Smith, went closest for Shots in this half when he swivelled to hook a bouncing ball – again agonisingly wide of the far post.

Torquay keeper Brendan Moore – on loan from Fleetwood Town – had little direct action for nearly an hour, but the American then showed his mettle by dealing with a particularly dangerous cross from Ralph.

Aldershot were relieved to see heavyweight Wright, after earning himself space with a surprising turn of pace, drill his shot into the sidenetting.

Then came Aldershot’s best opportunity to break the deadlock. Pavey’s astute pass put Lafayette in a one-on-one with Moore, but the keeper spread himself wide and made a vital block.

Pavey then had a clear chance himself. Rasulo teed the ball up nicely for the Millwall loanee who drove high over the bar from 12 yards.

Aldershot’s visibly growing confidence persuaded Torquay boss Kevin Nicholson to make a bold double substitution, while Smith sent Browne on for Rasulo, but the few decent openings continued to fall the home side’s way, with a lunging Lafayette just failing to put away Ralph’s pass.

With 12 minutes left, the PA announced Jake Gallagher as man of the match and the England C player responded immediately with a rasping shot from way out on the right that forced a fumbling save from Moore.

Gallagher, whose disciplinary record has improved markedly since his last red card in November, hardly put a foot wrong, but the sponsors’ accolade could just as well have gone to the impressive Hatton.

Aldershot: P Smith, Alexander, Beckles, Saville, T Richards, Rasulo (Browne 68), Hatton Gallagher, Ralph (D Walker 78), Pavey, Lafayette. Subs (not used): McGinty, Stevenson, Thomas.

Torquay: Moore, Butler, Berry, N Smith, MacDonald, Racchi, C Richards (Ajala 65), Verma, Rees, Harrad (Allen 65), Wright. Subs (not used): Fisher, Chaney, Gerring. Booked: Berry.

Referee: Alan Young.

Attendance: 1,771 (325 away).