Boston United boss Paul Hurst hoping new-look squad are quick learners after opening defeat

The Pilgrims travel to Solihull Moors on Saturday and Hurst said: “You do like to have another game soon after a defeat. But this is a new group I am getting to learn about.

“We will see how they deal with disappointment. Hopefully today they have learned a lot of what the league will often be about and the encounters they will face.

“The pre-season games are great. They're good tests that get your fitness levels up.

“But they're often played at a different tempo and are different games to those you encounter, come the league action.

“Today should be a learning curve - and what I am asking them to be is quick learners.”

A late red card for two bookable offences for Jake Rooney has not helped matters, but Hurst admitted: “I have no complaints.

“I feared for it when it happened and it was another kick in the teeth looking towards the weekend when Jake will now miss that game.”

John Gilbert's 59th minute strike proved the difference on Saturday and Hurst said: “Obviously I am disappointed and it's kind of two-fold.

“The result was one thing and the performance went through different spells.

“But in the main I was disappointed with certain aspects of our play.

“They were landing on second balls and, though that sounds basic, it has a big influence on trying to take control of the game.

“While we didn't create bundles of chances, I think we did have good opportunities we didn't make the most of.

“So in the end it was a frustrating afternoon.

“We had spoken about the optimism around. And, being a home game, you want to get off to a winning start.

“We had a good crowd in with a good away following too. So to not get that win was disappointing.”

Hurst continued: “We wanted to start on the front foot and ask questions of their back line – certainly to get them running towards their own goal, which we did.

“We were inches away from Tom (Cursons) getting in a couple of times.

“But as the half wore on we looked a little vulnerable at times.

“We also gave them too much time on the ball.

“It wasn't through a lack of effort. We were working hard to get behind the ball but not putting pressure on it and therefore allowing Aldershot to have some spells of possession that I didn't want.

“Second half we were all right for a while again. But after the goal it took us too long, in my opinion, to really cause them too many problems.

“Lenny (Lenell John-Lewis) came on and forced a decent save from the keeper then Ken (Aboh) came on and gave us a bit of life.

"But overall we didn't ask enough questions of them – and a big part of that was not picking up in that midfield area which enables you to take some control and force them back.”