FRIDAY night's result at Accrington was very disappointing and, in many ways, the first third of the season has been a disappointment.

At Accrington for long periods we performed as well as we have all season in our build-up play, our movement, our passing and our creation of chances.

It seemed an injustice that we came away with nothing.

One bright spot was the third appearance as a substitute of local lad Andy Williams who did very well, but until the point that Danny Carey-Bertram started to feel his hamstring we were playing extremely well and looked likely to go on and win the game.

With a third of the season gone, it gives us a chance to look at the competition as a whole.

The big shock is to find Aldershot bottom of the table after two seasons when they have reached the play-offs.

I don't think anyone would have imagined that they would be struggling as they are.

The other play-off participants from last season, Stevenage, have not been brilliant this time, and neither have we.

Having seen most sides in the Conference, I don't believe there is anybody capable of building up a big lead like Barnet did last season and in the previous season when we and Chester pulled away from everyone else.

There are some very competent teams in the Conference and the organisation, fitness and general standard reflects that there are only four teams which are not full-time professionals.

Current leaders Grays will, I believe, finish in the top five or six but I don't see them as strong enough to do what Barnet did last season.

I saw Morecambe play at Kidderminster on Saturday and they were almost unrecognisable from the side that played here. They have beaten Accrington and Stevenage and I thought that, potentially, they were the best side in the league.

Exeter have had a wobble recently but won't be far off at the end of the season.

We have obviously analysed our shortcomings in the season and while our defensive record has been respectable, we just have not put the ball in the back of the net often enough.

It was a blow losing Adam Stansfield and Guy Ipoua, our main strike force, but, just recently, Danny Carey-Bertram has started scoring and we need him to continue in that vein.

There is an awfully long way to go yet and a side that can put together a consistent run will climb the table. We just have to hope that it will be us.