Holdsworth: We must respond

Holdsworth: Encourages team

Dean Holdsworth has demanded a positive response from his Aldershot players after Saturday's 4-0 mauling at Port Vale.

Holdsworth drew a couple of positives from the Vale Park reverse, insisting his side played some good football and created plenty of openings.

But he was left to rue their profligacy in front of goal and, crucially, a poor defensive display from back to front which contributed towards Guy Madjo's hat-trick and a further effort from Sean Rigg.

And with games comes up against Southend, Plymouth and Gillingham over the festive period, the Shots boss is looking for his charges to hit back.

"At 1-0 down we ended the first half on top and came out strongly after half-time, but we've conceded a bad goal on the break to give ourselves a mountain we failed to climb," he said.

"We now need to dust ourselves down and bounce back from this. I'll be demanding a positive reaction from the players."