Boreham Wood started life without Ian Allinson by going down 1-0 at home to Aldershot Town in the National League

Barry Smith’s Shots took their only clear-cut chance and despite having the better of the game, Wood could not force an equaliser in caretaker boss Luke Garrard’s first match at the helm.

Former Wood loanee Charlie Walker, who scored once in 11 games for the Hertfordshire side last season, got the game's only goal after nine minutes.

Garrard, who had been assistant Allinson prior to his resignation on Monday, named an unchanged starting XI from Allinson’s final game in charge – a 2-0 win over Welling United on Saturday.

That meant Scott Doe and Joe Devera were paired at centre-half together as captain Sam Cox continued at right-back.

Billy Clifford was again down the left-hand flank with Conor Clifford and Clovis Kamdjo the central midfield pairing. Up front Junior Morias partnered Jamie Lucas.

Wood had enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges before falling behind after nine minutes against the run of play.

Set pieces have been a continual shortcoming for Wood this season so it was perhaps little surprise when Damon Lathorpe delivered a free-kick from the left-hand flank for the opener.

After defender Omar Beckles headed against the post, Walker was on hand to hook beyond James Russell in the Wood goal.

But the reaction of Garrard's to falling a goal behind would have pleased the caretaker boss, who saw Wood take the game to the Shots in search of an equaliser.

The hosts had a golden chance in the 16th minute when a free-kick was delivered into the penalty area and met firmly by the head of Doe, the ball falling for Lucas who somehow helped the ball wide from a matter of yards.

Jamie Lucas squandered a good first-half chance for Wood. Picture: Sean Hinks

Five minutes later Devera headed another free-kick just wide as Wood piled on the pressure.

Morias was next to try his luck, cutting in from the left-hand flank before fizzing a low effort into the palms of Phil Smith at his near post.

Strike partner Lucas went close a matter of minutes later, sliding the ball wide of the far post after finding himself in space down the left-hand side of the penalty area.

But Wood’s best chance came just a couple of minutes before half-time; Morias somehow contriving to shoot straight at Smith when one-on-one. Typical of the hosts’ luck the ball then deflected off the forward for a goal kick rather than ricocheting into the net.

Billy Clifford was one of Boreham Wood's stand-outs against the Shots. Picture: Sean Hinks

Boreham Wood had the first really notable chance of the second period too, Ricky Shakes nodding the ball back into the area from a Billy Clifford corner only for Smith to somehow help the ball around the post.

Billy Clifford was enjoying some joy on the left-hand side but never more so than when he escaped the clutches of three Shots defenders to tee up Conor Clifford on the edge of the penalty area. The Dubliner’s rasping first time shot was expertly palmed over by keeper Smith, though.

Wood had caused the Hampshire side problems from set pieces all night and with nine minutes remaining they went close again, Kamdjo getting up well at the back post to see a header superbly blocked for another corner.

Chances for the visitors had been in short supply, yet they nearly doubled their lead at the death as Jim Stevenson let fly from the edge of the area, forcing a sharp stop from Russell.

Conor Clifford lets fly for Wood. Picture: Sean Hinks

There was still time in extra time for Wood to go close, Conor Clifford seeing a goal-bound effort blocked wide for a corner.

But despite having the lion’s share of the chances, Wood were unable to build on Saturday’s win over Welling and start the Garrard regime with defeat.

Boreham Wood: Russell; Cox, Devera, Dox, Woodards; Shakes (Jeffrey 77), C.Clifford, Kamdjo, B.Clifford; Morias (Tiryaki 81), Lucas (MacDonald 62).

Subs: Reynolds, Howell.

Referee: Robert Whitton.

Attendance: 581 (248 away supporters).