'I think we were quite comfortable' - Aldershot Town manager Danny Searle gives his verdict after Chesterfield draw

Aldershot Town manager Danny Searle predicts Chesterfield will climb the National League table after watching his side escape with a point from the Technique Stadium.
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Shots goalkeeper Brad James made a string of stunning saves in the last 20 minutes to stop the Spireites taking all three points.

Town lacked a killer touch in front of goal with Liam Mandeville firing wide with the goal gaping and Tom Denton had a late header cleared off the line, while Curtis Weston and Jak McCourt were both denied by the brilliant James.

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The visitors finished the match with 10-men after Alfy Whittingham was shown a red card for a miss-timed tackle on David Buchanan.

Danny Searle, manager of Aldershot Town.Danny Searle, manager of Aldershot Town.
Danny Searle, manager of Aldershot Town.

Questionably, Searle felt his team were ‘quite comfortable’.

“I think up until the sending off, other than problems we caused ourselves, I think that we were quite comfortable and kind of in control,” he said.

“I think if you look at the best chances they had, we actually caused the problem ourselves, they did not create anything against us in those areas.

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“Obviously they had a lot of the ball when we went down to 10 men but I think that was going to be a given.

“I thought the lads handled the two big forwards well.

“I think the lads showed great resilience and determination.

“It was obviously disappointing with Alfy but at the end of the day we needed to show some more character and the boys delivered.

“We all know what the resources Chesterfield have got at their disposal. It is a proper club, they have got an amazing set-up there. I think they will probably pick up more points and they will move up the table and we will look back in months to come and say what a great point that was.”

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On Whittingham’s red card, Searle added: “We knew as soon as it happened it was going to be a straight red. I feel for Alfy because actually there is no malice in it, he has just lost control of the ball and tried to win it back and unfortunately he has caught the player. We are just grateful that the player on the receiving end just wasn’t too bad.”