Twelve months later, only a penalty shoot-out defeat in the play-off final cost Aldershot their place in the League and in 2005 Brown's side again lost on spot-kicks in the semi-finals to eventual winners Carlisle United. 'I always thought we would get there and there were times when we nearly did,' added McGinty.Īfter immediate back-to-back promotions, the Shots went up again in 1997 and in 2003 under the guidance of Terry Brown - only the club's fourth manager - they made it to the Conference (now the Blue Square Premier) and the top of the non-league ladder. Starting out in the Isthmian League Third Division but still playing at the Recreation Ground, the new Shots had five levels to climb through to make it to the League.
