Paul McLaren swallowed the disappointment of the first league loss to remind City: We've still made a good start.

As attention turns to Tuesday night's derby clash with Leeds United in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, the influential midfielder reflected on a solid first month in the Coca-Cola League Two.

Aldershot's stunning late winner at the weekend left City empty handed after three straight victories but McLaren believes there is still plenty to be positive about from the opening skirmishes of the campaign.

Talking to the Telegraph & Argus he said: "Nine points from the first four games is still a pretty good return. If we'd been offered that at the start, I think we'd be quite happy.

"We were all frustrated to get beaten but things like that are going to happen through the season. You just have to move on and look to the next game, which is what we are doing.

"The gaffer has given no inclination what team he is going to pick to play Leeds so we don't know what he is thinking.

"But it's a big game for everyone because it's another local derby and we'll see if we can do ourselves more justice than we did at Huddersfield the other week."

McLaren got off the mark for his new club with a sweet finish of his own to put City in front at the Recreation Ground.

It was a practised move dreamed up by Stuart McCall as Joe Colbeck stepped over Paul Heckingbottom's corner to create the room for the midfielder to charge in and sweep the ball home.

McLaren said: "It's always nice to score your first goal and it's one that we had been trying out at the training ground.

"I just wish it could have meant more with the result and we could have taken the three points back up the motorway.

"But as the gaffer said to us afterwards, it's not too often you're going to get beaten by two goals like that.

"They were great strikes, particularly the last one which was brilliantly hit. I know those sort of shots can go anywhere and it was fantastic technique by their lad.

"That didn't make it any better for us and it was a big disappointment, especially after going ahead.

"I thought we were looking quite comfortable at half-time and we knew another clean sheet would win the game.

"We were defending well without doing much going forward but I always thought we were good enough to cut them open with our passing if we got the ball down and played.

"We did that okay in the second half without penetrating very much and unfortunately you can't legislate for goals like the ones Aldershot scored.

"But we'll pick ourselves up from that and we'll be going out there to hopefully give Leeds a good game."