Nathan Elder says he was not surprised at being left out of the starting XI at Aldershot on Saturday - and says he will benefit from not taking his place for granted, writes Simon Webster.

Andy Scott dropped Elder in favour of Marvin Williams after the striker's poor showing at Notts County in the previous match, saying it was a timely 'kick up the backside.'

The striker, who eventually came on for the second half in the 1-1 draw, totally agrees.

"It wasn't really a surprise to be on the bench," Elder told the Gazette.

"I spoke to the gaffer after Monday night's game and he wasn't too happy. Quite rightly.

"It just shows nobody is safe in this team, which I think is good because I needed it and it makes you appreciate your place in the side a lot more.

"Sitting on the bench reminded me of when I was at Brighton and I wasn't getting a chance. It makes you appreciate it more now.

"Although I've played lots of games it shows I can't let it lapse."

Elder continued: "People are hot on my tail for my position in the side. We're all friends but everyone wants that promotion and to push themselves forward. And you need that mentality to make sure you get that place.

"I was itching in my seat. When you are in the habit of starting, you forget what it feels like when you don't. And I think I really needed that.

"I still need to get that consistency in my game where it happens for 90 minutes rather than 45 or 25. Just little lapses in concentration that I need to work on.

"I tried my best when I came on, but that has shown me that if I do start in future games, I need to be itching as if I've come off the bench really.

"With Moses, Marvin and Monty they are all talented guys who've all got different attributes that can contribute to this team and nobody in the team is safe."

Scott said: "I thought Nathan had a poor game on Monday at Notts County.

"You've got to realise that he's a young lad who has only been in this league two years and he's played more games consistently than he has ever done, but he needed a kick up the back side really.

"He was as good as gold [when I told him] because he knows he hasn't been playing as well as he can do.

"I think he got a little complacent and he will admit that as well. But he came on and for the first 20-25 minutes of the second half, he gave us the impetus to go forward. I thought Nathan really terrorised them and Marvin got in the game a lot more and we were on the front foot."

Scott's reshuffle did not work in the first half and the Bees trailed to a Scott Davies penalty. But an improved performance after the break, with Elder restored to the team, brought an equaliser from Glenn Poole - also from the spot.

Williams won the penalty after tangling with Dean Howell just inside the Shots' box.

"I like the responsibility of taking the penalties," said Poole, although he missed one on Tuesday night.

"I've taken them at every club I've been at and to only have missed a couple is not too bad. I must have scored about 20 odd from the spot and I like the pressure.

"I missed a penalty at Morecambe away last year and the season before I missed one, but it doesn't happen too often."

"The biggest difference to the side last year is the confidence," Elder observed.

"We don't look like we're going to let teams run over us or go in two goals down at half time anymore.

"It looks as if we are going out there to win. Last season it looked as if we were too content with draws and we ended up in mid-table doing pretty much nothing. But this year everyone's got the confidence to get us pushing back up the league."

Match Summary

ALDERSHOT (1) 1 BEES (0) 1 Line-up: Hamer; Newton, Wilson, Bennett, Wood; Halls, Bean (elder h/t), Wright, Poole (O'Connor 90); Williams, MacDonald. Subs not used: Brown, Ademola, Phillips. Attendance: 5,023 GOALS: Davies pen (14), Poole pen (57).MoM: Charlie MacDonald