Carshalton Athletic manager Matt Howard reckons it was the manner of the opening day defeat that caused him most disappointment.

The Robins played host to Ryman Division One South new boys Dorking Wanderers and fell on the wrong side of a 4-0 scoreline, further compounded by a first-half dismissal of debutant midfielder Bentley Graham.

But, ahead of the long trip to Guernsey tomorrow evening (Wednesday), the new Robins boss was in philosophical mood.

"This is of course the worst way to start a new campaign, but I did say to the lads before kick-off that, whether we won or lost, there would still be 45 more games to go," said Howard.

"It was the manner of how this defeat occurred that provided the most disappointment however."

The new Colston Avenue boss was alluding to both some poor defending that led directly to goals and how, at the other end, his charges failed to convert some clear-cut chances.

"We should've dealt with their cross better on the first goal for example, while the second came from an individual error that no-one could legislate for pre-game," Howard added.

"I believe any neutral would say we created the better chances but, although their keeper made a couple of fine saves, we simply weren't as clinical as them; Gonsalves, Andrews, Bradford, Pigden, Korboa, Downs and Miller should've all got themselves on the scoresheet."

Graham, who arrived at Carshalton from Whyteleafe this summer, was dismissed with his side already two down for a reckless challenge in his own half on 36 minutes.

Howard said the 24-year-old apologised to his team-mates at half-time, but that he himself thought the decision a tad harsh, claiming he had seen "similar incidents in previous matches not end with a red".

"Despite being a man down, we came out for the second-half with a positive mind-set and went about trying to get ourselves back into the game, but they hit us on the break for their third and it knocked the stuffing out of us," he added.

Carshalton have the chance to put the loss behind at Guernsey on Wednesday, although the midweek fixture will give Howard a bit of a selection problem.

"We'll be without seven regulars for the trip, but it is what it is. We'll be going over there looking to bring back three points however, that I can say," he said.