Two points lost but Spitfires still firing

By Wendy Gee -

'We've taken seven points out of nine... two a game tends to get you promoted' - IAN BAIRD

Eastleigh head into today's game against Staines Town on a pleasing run of three games unbeaten in the Blue Square Bet South.

If there was any justice in the world, it would have been three straight wins, but the final whistle didn't come soon enough at Hampton & Richmond Borough on Tuesday night as they conceded at the death for a 2-2 draw.

The Spitfires had come from behind to take a 2-1 lead with goals from Richard Graham and Ross Bottomley to cancel out David Steven's header for the hosts. Eastleigh looked like taking all three points when in the fourth minute of injury time, Hampton's Lawrence Yaku outpaced the Eastleigh defence before lobbing Jason Matthews from the edge of the box and celebrating with his trademark somersault.

Eastleigh boss Ian Baird didn't feel much in the mood for somersaults afterwards but, on reflection, he considered it a decent night's work.

"We played very well," he said. "But a catalogue of missed chances cost us and it was disappointing to concede with 30 seconds to go.

"Jason Matthews didn't have a save to make all night, yet he twice picked the ball out of the net. We dominated the first half but conceded from a set piece. It was a silly foul to give away and then we didn't defend the free kick properly.

"By that time we should have been three or four up, but we got the right reaction from the players with two second-half goals.

"We should have got another when their keeper fumbled the ball and Tony Taggart's first effort hit a player on the line and then it came back to him and he hit another one.

"On the evening it felt like we'd lost two points, but then you reflect and think you'd probably have accepted a draw before the game. Hampton's a bogey ground for us - it's the first time the club's ever picked up a point (in five visits) there, so that's a positive.

The result lifted Eastleigh to eighth, 11 points behind leaders Braintree with a game in hand.

"We've taken seven points out of nine since the Basingstoke defeat and an average of two a game tends to get you promoted," said Baird.

"I've said before this month is crucial to us and if we come through unscathed I'll be happy. So far we are and, as long as we keep up with the pack, we've got a good chance.

Jamie Brown was missing on Tuesday with an ankle problem, while long-term absentees Peter Adeniyi and Shaun McAuley are still edging their way back with brief appearances off the bench.

"Peter and Shaun could really do with reserve games, but I'm in a conundrum as I need them in the squad," said Baird.

Left-back Brett Poate is still out with a broken arm, but could be back in a fortnight.

This afternoon's opponents Staines are down in 18th place and have seen an exodus of players join league rivals Boreham Wood. Midfielder Gareth Risbridger became the third to leave this week following hot on the heels of Ali Chaaban and Melvin Kamara.