SLOUGH Town joint-manager Jon Underwood has explained that missing several players was no excuse for the 1-0 defeat to Dorking Wanderers on Saturday, writes Rob Stevens.

The Rebels were without defenders Mark Nisbet, Josh Jackman and George Wells, plus summer signings Joe Grant and Daniel Roberts as

the new season in the National League South got under way

on Saturday.

Slough were beaten 1-0 at Arbour Park

as Dorking Wanderers bagged a controversial winning goal in the fifth minute of time added on, however Underwood admits the players that were on the pitch are capable of a little bit more.

He told the Observer: "You can have a mixed pre-season and still start well. Pre-season is sometimes a guide for what's to come but quite often it's not.

"We were quite capable of hitting our stride because the intensity goes up when you enter a league game and we started quite bight.

"We maybe missed players defensively at times although Simon Dunn filled in well for us at left back.

"It's difficult when you're missing three defenders that certainly played more than they didn't last season, but those that we had in are all regulars for us so it's no excuse.

"We would've liked to have had a slightly stronger squad on Saturday but we are where we are and the people that did play are probably capable of a little bit more."

The Rebels will look for their first points of the season when travelling across Berkshire to Hungerford Town on Tuesday (7.45pm), where Underwood expects another tough match.

He said: "I'm just pleased that we've got a game so quick after last weekend to try and get back on track.

"It's never an easy game against Hungerford, no matter where they are in the league. They were down the lower end of the table last season but still very tough to beat.

"We know a lot about them and they'll know a lot about us, but we need to dust ourselves down and prepare well because it will be another difficult game as all 42 matches are in this league.

"Hopefully we can improve on a few things a little bit and come away with something".

Slough make the trip to Concord Rangers this Saturday (3pm) where they will be without central defender Sam Togwell following his dismissal for two bookable offences against Dorking.

Underwood added: "We will have George back next Saturday and Daniel for the following game (home to Weymouth on August 13th).

"We will be missing Sam through suspension next Saturday so that will give us another defensive headache, but it is what it is. These things happen in football and as managers you have to deal with it.

"Unfortunately it has happened to us at the start to the season but we can't feel sorry for ourselves, just see if we can pick up some points this week."