In a dismal replay at the other Recreation Ground in Essex, the Shots were edged out of the FA Trophy at the first hurdle by holders Grays Athletic. Their goal two minutes from the end of extra time saw them through to face Kidderminster Harriers in round two.
The boss can do nothing about the firepower problem until the transfer window opens in just over a week's time, but with tough games against Exeter and Forest Green to come, he knows it will be a scrap for points.
He said: “We've come here twice and got nothing twice and really failed to create enough. It's perfectly obvious that we've not got a cutting edge up front although we could've played better. The boys worked very hard but I'm just disappointed that we did not hold on to the end.
“I would ask the fans to bear with us over the next two games, because we need to dig deep and if we do that we can go into the new year with new signings and new optimism.
“I've got to look at the positives in that if I can strengthen in the window where I want to, we'll put a game like that to bed, we've been relying on Tim Sills too long.”
Quite so, as a lack of numbers forced Brown to play the returning Sills as a lone striker.
Indeed, it seemed perfectly clear — judging by the quality of the team's respective benches — that the Shots just do not have the strength in depth needed to mount a title push.
So, for the second year running against an Essex side, the Shots' Trophy campaign is over at the first round stage. But in contrast to last season's disappointing defeat at Thurrock, Brown's men came mightily close to taking Conference high-fliers Grays to penalties — this, until Glenn Poole's 118th minute goal finally separated the sides.
The Shots had their moments, including one huge penalty shout turned down in injury time by replacement referee Sean Comerford, on to replace the injured Andy Sainsbury at half time.
Neither official, however, will make Brown's Christmas card list this year, judging by his hopping mad reaction to unpunished misdemeanours.
Right from the off it became evident this was to be a tight affair with Aldershot setting the defensive tone early on, blocking shots from Poole and Aaron McLean. One of the Shots blockers, John Brough, then had a header on target at the other end, only for ex-Farnborough man Dennis Oli to clear off his own goal-line.
While Grays enjoyed the longer spells of possession, their niggling tactics began to frustrate the visitors with Ryan Scott and Steve Watson both finding their way into Mr Sainsbury's book within two minutes of each other in response to Joe Bruce's earlier rash tackle.
In the meantime, the deadlock breaking goal looked hard to come by. Grays skipper Stuart Thurgood, returning from suspension, shot just wide of the post, while at the other end, Greg Heald nodded just over on the stroke of half time.
Mr Comerford's introduction at the expense of crocked Mr Sainsbury, failed to change the course of the game with both teams creating half chances without posing any real threat to either keeper.
Heald again went close with a header that Nicky Eyre easily collected, while McLean fired into the side-netting following a typically quick break forward.
Indeed, McLean was proving to be the game's most likely source of a goal, forcing former team-mate Nikki Bull into a good save low down as he rose highest to head on target.
For the Shots, Watson hit a shot from long range that was aimed straight at Eyre, while Sills failed get enough power on a header which the keeper again gratefully received.
Bull, making his 150th appearance for the Shots, then pulled off a fine fingertip save to deny Poole — a stop which might have proved vital when the Shots won a free-kick just yards from the edge of the area deep into injury time. It was tailor-made for Darren Barnard, who got his bearings right with a powerfully-struck, only for Eyre to collect and prompt extra time.
Like many nerve-jangling extra time periods, chances were few and far between, with substitutes Hassan Sulaiman and Matt Gearing firing Alder-shot's only note-worthy shots high over the bar, and into the body of the grateful Eyre.
The hosts threatened a little more with ex-Shot John Nutter firing off target and Poole twice being kept out by Bull. But just when it looked like penalties would yet again decide Aldershot's fate, Grays found the breakthrough.
Bull launched himself into another fine save to deny substitute Gary Hooper only for the ball to ricochet to an unmarked Poole, who pounced to rifle home at the far post.
The defeat subjected the Shots to more cup disappointment but Brown was in reflective mood, adding: “I've got no problem with the result, they are a decent side and we gave it our all. We missed our opportunity to win it in the first game, we should have put it to bed.”
With thoughts turning to the league and a busy festive period, Brown was quick to point out that anything less than three points by the end of the year would simply not be good enough. He said: “I need the boys to dig deep and keep us in the hunt. I would love to get three or four points over the Christmas period. That's a hard ask though as Forest Green Rovers will be a physical, hard game, and Exeter away will always be difficult."
With thanks to the Aldershot News.