Crawley Town 1 Aldershot Town 0

Last updated : 21 August 2004 By Footymad Previewer

A Charlie MacDonald header on 67 minutes saw Crawley inflict the first defeat of the season on Aldershot Town at the Broadfield Stadium.

Crawley dominated large spells of the game and went closest to scoring in the first half.

Charlie Mapes was sent clear by Charlie MacDonald on eight minutes, but had his side-footed effort saved at point-blank range by Shots keeper Nikki Bull.

Danny Davidson then blasted straight at Bull after linking up with strike partner MacDonald.

Mapes again went close just past the half-hour mark when he latched on to a knockdown by Davidson and save his shot blocked by Ray Warburton.

Aldershot's best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes came through a curling free-kick by Jon Challinor, which Reds keeper Andy Little pushed wide at full length.

Crawley continued to have the majority of possession after half-time and almost went ahead on 58 minutes when a header from Ian Simpemba was pushed over by Bull.

The home side's pressure paid of on 67 minutes when MacDonald broke the deadlock.

Davidson was played onside by Chris Giles and raced on to a throughball by Mapes before crossing for the former Charlton striker to head home his third goal in as many games.

Aldershot squandered a gilt-edged chance to get back on level terms 11 minutes from time. Roscoe D'Sane rounded Little and squared to Aaron McLean who saw his close-range effort blocked on the line by Crawley captain Kevin Hemsley.