THERE may be a more famous military base elsewhere in town but the Recreation Ground is fast becoming a new fortress for Aldershot after Saturday’s eighth win in succession at home.

The three points gained from the 2-1 victory over Rushden & Diamonds keep the Shots kings of the castle in Blue Square Premier too, a point clear at the top of Torquay United.

This was a pageant of a game to boot, with the crowd of more than 3,000 royally entertained by a feast of attacking football, with scarcely a foul in sight.

The Diamonds sparkled and, after enjoying plenty of the play and creating many chances, will feel hard done by that they left with nothing after contributing so much.

But the Shots created the better chances and might easily have put the game to bed after John Grant, starting his first match since tendonitis problems flared up in early October, had bundled them ahead in the first half, and Ben Harding’s exquisite left-foot volley had increased the lead early in the second half.

Instead, after the same two players missed golden chances to increase the Shots’ lead, Rushden’s lively striker Simeon Jackson pulled a goal back with half an hour to play.

Both sides enjoyed chances in a thrilling finale. Grant, Lewis Chalmers and substitute Kirk Hudson all went close for the Shots, while at the other end Rob Gier, Rhys Day and the outstanding Anthony Charles all had to make vital late tackles as the Diamonds pressed, with ‘keeper Nikki Bull also making confident late saves.

Grant’s return was especially welcome and while he is still not fully fit and looked a spent force in the dying minutes, his eye for a chance looked in focus from the off. By the time he looped the Shots ahead in the 25th minute he had already thumped a shot against the foot of the post too.

Grant and Lewis Chalmers had come in for the suspended pair of Rob Elvins and Scott Davies but injuries to Ricky Newman (back) and Louie Soares (hamstring) meant that Waddock had to make several adjustments. David Winfield was recalled to the centre of defence, with Charles slotting in at left back and Anthony Straker moved to left midfield and Joel Grant to the right.

That the Shots went on to win without several key players, against an in-form Rushden side, should not be overlooked: this was a stylish and impressive victory and illustrates that Waddock has strength in depth.

Grant’s goal came after Rushden had made the brighter start, with Day clearing a shot off the line from Lee Tomlin, with Bull beaten.

But Waddock’s men began to get their passing game together, with the movement becoming increasingly slick and incisive. Chalmers and Joel Grant were at the heart of most of the best play. Chalmers, looking fresh despite playing in England C’s win over Finland in Helsinki three days before, put in an outstanding display in the middle, with probing passing, meaty tackling and determined headers.

The opening goal owed much to Charles, who won the ball back and forced a foul near the corner flag. Harding’s whipped in free-kick was partially cleared but Joel Grant’s teasing cross found namesake John at the back post and he forced the ball home off head and knee.

But back came the Diamonds. Jackson, with seven goals in his last five games to his name, should have done better but blasted over. Tomlin then volleyed inches wide.

If Rushden were unlucky to be behind, five minutes into the second half they found themselves 2-0 down. Chalmers’ cute pass played in Straker, who crossed into the box, where Harding clipped a delicious left-footed volley high past ‘keeper Paul Nicholls. It was a stunning strike and Harding knew it, racing half the length of the pitch in celebration. "The Shots are going up," sang the East Bank in tribute to Harding’s cannon ball of a shot. This is Fortress Rec, after all.

But Harding was quickly brought back down to earth. Nicholls’ botched clearance fell straight to him 35 yards out but he shot wide of the open goal with his right foot. John Grant then spurned an even better chance to make it 3-0, following good work again by Straker.

The Shots were made to rue their profligacy when former Shot Jon Challinor finally woke from his slumber and fed Jackson, who finished neatly.

It was the first goal Bull had conceded in more than 400 minutes at the Rec and it brought back bad memories of last season, when Rushden came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at the Rec. But not this time: the Shots are made of sterner stuff.

Waddock deserves credit for the way he rallied his troops and changed his personnel to withstand the Rushden attack, replacing Winfield with Kirk Hudson, an attacker, and moving Charles into central defence and Straker to his more accustomed role of left back.

The Shots looked more solid. Day grew in stature but Charles was the commander, winning countless headers and crucial interceptions. And when the Shots need a crunching tackle, there’s always Rob Gier to the rescue.

Tomlin was unlucky to end up on the losing side, however, denied first by Bull’s save and then Charles’ superb block.

At the other end Hudson was thwarted by a fine Nicholls save after delightful interplay from Joel Grant and Harding, and Hudson also blasted over when John Grant’s shot had been blocked.

An Aldershot player came closest to scoring but, fortunately, Bull was on hand to keep out Day’s deflection towards his own goal, in the last minute. At last the final whistle blew; it had never quite become a siege but the fortress had nonetheless had to withstand a concerted advance.

Team and playing ratings: Bull 7, Gier 7, Charles 8, Winfield 6 (Hudson 66 7), Day 7, Chalmers 8 *STAR MAN, Harding 7, Straker 7, Joel Grant 8, John Grant 7, Dixon 6 (Simmonds 90).

For more see Tuesday's Aldershot Mail, including comments from Gary Waddock.

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