Pitch at fault - managers

Both managers conceded that a sub-standard pitch contributed to a drab spectacle after Accrington and Aldershot contested a goalless draw at the Crown Ground.Both clubs had applied for permission to switch the season opener to Aldershot to allow the newly-laid turf at Accrington more time to settle. However, the Football League's refusal to sanction the move resulted in a below-par curtain-raiser."I think the pitch ended up hampering us in the way it softened up, but there's still a lot of work going on and I think in a couple of weeks it'll be a lot different," said Stanley boss John Coleman."I think we just shaded it. On another day one or two of our chances might have gone in. It was a tough game for us and a tough game for Aldershot. They'll be there or thereabouts at the end of the season."Shots boss Kevin Dillon added: "It was a solid performance in the end but I think both teams nullified each other and a draw was the fairest result possible."The pitch was dreadful, especially in this day and age, it's just not good enough and I feel sorry for Accrington because they wanted to change the game to our ground. In the end the pitch probably won 3-0."