Aldershot Town manager Tommy Widdrington felt his side deserved the three points after they won 3-2 at Woking on New Year’s Day to claim the derby bragging rights.

Monday’s win followed Boxing Day’s 0-0 draw against Woking at The EBB Stadium, and Widdrington felt his side were well worth the four points they collected from the two derbies.

“It was a closely-fought encounter,” said Widdrington.

“I thought in the two games there wasn’t a lot in them – which is expected.

“I thought when push comes to shove over the two games we were the better side and I think four points has been justified.

“I didn’t think it was a boring game the other day – I think it was decent and both teams created chances in both games.

“I felt we were worthy winners.”

The Shots led 3-1 at Woking before conceding a late second goal. Widdrington admitted that set up a nervy finale, but he was delighted his side managed to survive a length period of injury time to claim the three points.

“There always is nerves because there could be a mistake or could be a slip and you don’t want that to be put on anybody,” he said.

“I heard somebody talking the other day when I went to watch a game where a team equalised in the 97th minute and a coach explained sometimes there’s winning draws and there’s losing draws. If we’d have given them the two points back at the end there it would’ve felt like a losing draw – but like I said over the period of the two games there’s not much I would swap.

“I got a little bit excited myself at the end when I came over and I apologised to Michael Doyle if he took offence to that.”

Widdrington was particularly pleased to send the 1,198 travelling Aldershot fans home with the three points – and praised the support they have provided since he joined the club.

“I know the fans have had a tough time of late and last year they lost both these fixtures so to get a win for them – I’m delighted to start 2024 much as we ended 2023,” said Widdrington. “The support has been fantastic since I walked through the door in the building and I’m looking forward to seeing them all up in West Bromwich next week.”

The Shots now face a mouthwatering trip to The Hawthorns to face Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion in the third round proper of the FA Cup on Sunday (2pm), but Widdrington was delighted that his players were fully focused on the Woking game on New Year’s Day and weren’t distracted by the upcoming glamour FA Cup tie.

“I asked the players before the game what’s your next game and to a man they said this one and that was really important for me because if anyone had their eyes on West Brom they’d be straight out of the starting 11,” he said.

“I was really pleased our mentality was that because we could well be blamed for thinking we could have half an eye on West Brom because it’s a historical day for the football club.”

Widdrington is looking forward to Sunday’s trip to West Brom, but wants his side to give another good account of themselves after knocking out Stockport County in the second round last month.

“We’ll only enjoy it if we go there and compete and give the best version of ourselves,” he said.

“I’m sure whatever 11 I pick will do that and the lads on the bench will have a great day.”