Martin Kuhl, in charge of his first match as Caretaker Manager, named a stronger squad for the Hamsphire Senior Cup Semi Final First Leg encounter with local rivals Farnborough Town.
Chances were at a premium in the first half as Aldershot enjoyed the majority of the play against their opponents who rarely ventured forward. Kirk Hudson and Man of the Match, Jason Milletti, tested Kevin Scriven from distance.
The only goal was scored on 31 minutes. Louie Soares' corner hit the underside corner of the far post/bar and the ball bounced down and out. In the scramble that followed the alert Danny Hylton added to his Hampshire Senior Cup tally rifling the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
Soares caused panic in the six yard box again with another corner that Scriven dealt with well and Mark Pritchard struck just over the bar before the break.
Half Time: Shots 1 Farnborough Town 0
Farnborough opened up in the second half and posed a number of problems as boss Kuhl made a number of changes throughout the half replacing three players that featured on Tuesday's emotional evening against Weymouth as tiredness appeared to creep in as the match continued.
Referee Steven Tomlinson continued to frustrate the crowd and both benches with continuos stop/starting of his whistle plus producing a number of cautions.
The chances created did fall to the visitors although it was not until the 88th minute that Louis Wells was forced to make a save from an on target shot as Bradley Garness struck firmly from 16 yards.
Beforehand Farnborough had created some pressure and more composed finishing from the talented Michael Charles could have provided a different story. he teenager received a fine through ball from Steve Laidler on the hour but sliced his final shot, under pressure from Dave Winfield. His best chance fell on 73 minutes after being played in by Nick Ciardini when, with the goal at his mercy he took one touch too many and the chance was gone.
The home side threatened only rarely with substitute Jonny Dixon connecting well after a touch on from Hylton whilst Ryan Williams' corner was met by the head of Winfield who couldn't direct his effort on target.
Boss Kuhl said afterwards, "It was difficult for both sides who are playing four matches in a week. "I asked the players to play with a bit of passion and belief and I have to be pleased with a win and a clean sheet and I was particularly pleased with the performance of Jason Milletti at left back."
"We didn't move the ball about as much as I would have liked in the second half but we have won the game with a Danny Hylton goal. He is the kind of player that scores goals. He is unorthodox and puts himself about and he could be a decent find for the club if we can polish him up a little bit."
"The second leg is all there to play for. I thought Farnborough knocked the ball about and they are a well balanced side."
The second leg will be played at Cherrywood Road on April 11th