Crittenden strike gives Aldershot advantage

Aldershot will take a slender lead into the second leg of their Nationwide Conference play-off semi-final after Nick Crittenden's strike secured a 1-0 win against Carlisle yesterday.

The home side created a host of clear-cut chances at The Rec but managed only one goal, leaving Friday's game at Brunton Park wide open. Will Antwi should have opened the scoring for the Shots - who finished the campaign in fourth - in the 27th minute, but fired straight at goalkeeper Matt Glennon from six yards.

Aldershot spurned another good first-half chance when their leading scorer, Tim Sills, headed into the arms of Glennon shortly before the break.

Terry Brown's side did break the deadlock three minutes after the restart when Crittenden collected the ball on the edge of the box and lashed the ball into the top corner.

Darren Barnard could have made it two just after the hour, but Glennon acrobatically tipped his shot around the post.

Peter Murphy had Carlisle's best opportunity with just four minutes remaining, but Aldershot goalkeeper Nikki Bull superbly palmed his close-range effort to safety.