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Crawley Town manager Kevin Betsy and forward Ashley Nadesan remain confident ahead of the upcoming campaign, despite the 3-2 defeat at non-league Aldershot.

The Reds’ unbeaten pre-season steak came to an end on Saturday (July 23) after three costly defensive errors.

Speaking after the game, Betsy said: “Ideally, everyone wants to go unbeaten in pre-season but there’s so many more elements to these kinds of games.

"We’re going to have a little bit of turbulence now but we know what we need to do for the league and we will be ready.”

Manager Kevin Betsy hailed Crawley Town after their excellent pre-season draw at Hearts. Picture by Derek Martin Photography and Art

Aldershot went ahead in the first minute when a defensive mistake from Dion Conroy gave the home side an easy chance.

Their two other goals, including the 87th minute winner, also came from Crawley’s defensive errors.

"It seems like we need to be a bit more defensively disciplined,” said Betsy, who has put an emphasis on possession since joining the Reds this summer.

"But sometimes it’s not about the defence. It’s our play in possession and today three of their goals came from how we tried to build the attack.

“If we’re going to play in this style, you must be so good in attack building execution.

"Half a second too late or a loose first touch and the opposition will capitalise. That’s where the individual technical quality comes into play.”

Crawley’s squad to face Aldershot featured a number of their new signings.

Tobi Omole, Conroy, Dom Telford and Travis Johnson all started whilst Moe Shubbar, Corey Addai, Ben Wells and Jayden Davis took to the bench.

However, despite their inclusion, it wasn’t enough to make their sixth and final pre-season game a positive one.

"It’s exciting to see them,” Betsy said.

"But they need to do more.

"Whilst today is about getting minutes and fitness, we’ve got a competitive squad so when you get your chance you need to produce.

"They’re good players and there were some good moments but we need more.”

Betsy will take positives from the performance of Ashley Nadesan, one of Crawley’s star players from last season.

A goal down approaching the 30-minute mark, the forward pounced on a loose ball and nestled home an equaliser.

Six minutes into the second half, Crawley’s possession playstyle ended with Nadesan assisting Trialist A to put them 2-1 up.

Nadesan said: “That’s what we’ve been working on all pre-season.

"Building up play, breaking the lines and finding the forwards quickly.”

Crawley's Kevin Betsy expecting more from new signings after final pre-season game provided harsh lesson