SOLIHULL MOORS 0, ALDERSHOT TOWN 2

RESULTS may be more important than form at this stage of the National League season, but Aldershot Town’s fourth consecutive victory was achieved in consummate style on Saturday.

The 725 Shots fans joining the club’s ninth annual Tour of Duty were richly rewarded with a display which mirrored their own efforts on the terraces at Solihull Moors: hugely impressive, full of endeavor and desire, and laced with more than a dash of vibrant colour.

Such a strong work ethic made this result appear routine, but that is the devil in the detail of Gary Waddock’s burgeoning side, who time and again earn the right to impose their pacy, attacking football on the opposition simply by working harder than them.

Waddock, though, was most enamoured with the fans who turned Damson Park into a home from home. “They were unbelievable today and the players responded to that,” said the manager. “We all had to go and applaud them for what they did for us. They drove us on and we were very professional.

“The group are still developing, but we’re heading in the right direction. Successful players have to find a way to win games and we could have won by a greater margin.”

Shamir Fenelon could easily have put Aldershot two goals ahead in the opening ten minutes, but skewed a free header wastefully wide and saw his six-yard half-volley well saved by Danny Lewis.

George Carline, with a low 20-yard shot, and Andy Brown’s powerful header which bounced across goal were isolated reminders of Moors’ own attacking threat, but soon Jake Gallagher’s stooping header was superbly tipped around the post by Lewis and the visitors reasserted their authority.

On 28 minutes, Anthony Straker advanced unchecked down the left channel and, with a deft pass inside, invited Kundai Benyu to shoot low beyond Lewis from 22 yards to put the Shots in front.

Another Benyu drive, from even further out and rising towards the top corner, brought a third fine save from the goalkeeper, and when Fenelon flashed a shot into the side-netting the visitors were rampant.

It still took a strong stop by Jake Cole to repel Liam Daly’s header, the keeper using his feet to preserve Aldershot’s advantage. In a trice, the Shots were further in front as Will Evans smashed the ball clear from his own six-yard box and sent Benyu sprinting away.

Dancing into the penalty area, Benyu found space to angle a shot across Lewis and into the net.

There were barely 15 seconds between what could have been an undeserved equaliser and Aldershot striding clear towards a vital victory – such are the fine margins upon which seasons hang.

Gallagher and substitutes Manny Oyeleke (making his fourth debut for the Shots) and Matt McClure all could have stretched the lead, but this was another important statement from a team who are steadily cementing their place in the top five.

Three home games remain, starting with Torquay United on Saturday, and a continuation of their imposing home record should see Aldershot going a long way to enjoying their first play-off appearance in seven years.

The Easter schedule is likely to decide Aldershot’s destiny. On Good Friday (April 14), they visit Tranmere Rovers, who beat Sutton United 3-2 on Tuesday to draw level on points with leaders Lincoln City.

On Easter Monday, Aldershot are home to Dover Athletic, who are currently two points behind the Shots in sixth place, with a game in hand.

Solihull Moors: Lewis, Franklin, Daly, Kettle, Sammons (Sanusi 70), Byrne (Sterling-James 59), Brown (Coyle 86), Green, Maye, Afolayan, Carline. Subs (not used): Baxter, Nortey. Booked: Sanusi.

Aldershot: Cole, Arnold, Evans, Reynolds (Hyam 77), Straker, Kellermann (Oyeleke 70), Gallagher, Benyu (McClure 73), Fenelon, Rendell, Mensah. Subs (not used): Smith, Alexander. Booked: Benyu, Oyeleke.

Referee: Steven Rushton.

Attendance: 1,248 (725 away