Harrogate Town failed to overcome struggling Fleetwood Town in the first round of the Setanta Shield and went out 5-3 on penalties.

Harrogate's Danny Holland cancelled out Phil Denny's goal for Fleetwood before half-time and the score remained at 1-1 after extra-time at the CNG Stadium.

Harrogate midfielder Matty Young's missed penalty decided the shoot-out.

"We should have been better in the preceding two hours," said Harrogate Town manager Neil Aspin.

"I don't think there's much difference if you play a team at the top or bottom, there's a lot of strength in the league.

We won't beat Stalybridge if we play like we did tonight Harrogate Town boss Neil Aspin

"We're missing a few players at the moment and it's definitely affected the way we've played.

"We had lots of balls across the face of the goal and you need to be gambling in front of the goalkeeper."

Aspin risked Young, who has a toe injury, but would not risk left-sided player Nathan Peat with Saturday's difficult trip to Stalybridge in mind, when Harrogate will again be without Justin Whittle, Aaron Hardy and Jamie Smith.

"We will have enough (to beat Stalybridge) if we play well and if we can get a couple of players back," added Aspin.

"We won't beat Stalybridge if we play like we did tonight [Tuesday] over the game."

The club expects to sign a player in time for Saturday and Aspin believes he will make an impact.

"I think he'll be an asset to the club, he wants to play and he wants to play for Harrogate and he'll be given the opportunity to do that," Aspin added.