ASPIN RUES THE MISSED CHANCE AS HEED DROP

NEIL ASPIN’S side slip out of the play-off places but the Gateshead manager says they really should still be in there.

The visitors will be most disappointed not to take all three points having taken the lead through Gus Mafuta’s low shot from the edge of the area, only to be pegged back two minutes later by Ayo Obileye, a second goal in as many matches for the Spitfires’ centre-back.

Heed boss Aspin was frustrated, particularly as he felt the home side should have been penalised in the lead up to their equaliser.

Aspin said: “In the first half we struggled to play at all, but second half we were a lot better; we had a lot more impetus going forward.

“I think we should have won the game because we took the lead and then there was a definite foul in the buildup to the Eastleigh goal, so I’m disappointed about that.

“Of course I would have preferred to have got three points, we need to get as many victories as we can because of the competition to try and get in the play-offs.

“I’m just frustrated because, after taking the lead, there was a definite foul in the build-up to the equaliser and ultimately that’s cost us two points.”

In truth that incident was one of few talking points in a game which struggled to get going, particular in the first half. Eastleigh manager Richard Hill said: “We looked tired today, I don’t know why that is. I just felt we needed to be better with the ball at times, but I think in the grand scheme of things I’m just nit-picking because I like to win football matches. “On the basis of the first half, even the first hour, we were disappointed we didn’t take the lead. We had chances, but for both teams it looked like it was hard work.” The first half was memorable for little other than long shots from Michael Green and Matt Tubbs for Eastleigh, which didn’t trouble the keeper. Immediately into the second hal,f James Constable capitalised on a poor backpass for George Smith, but hit the post from a tight angle. Then came Mafuta’s opener, from the Heed’s first meaningful attack of the game, shortly followed by Obileye’s leveller – following a corner which Gateshead failed to clear. Heed’s best chance to take the lead came when Danny Johnson beat the off-side trap and fired a low shot narrowly wide. In the dying moments substitute Scott Wilson had two great opportunities for Eastleigh, the latter with the final kick would have been a dramatic finish, but his shot didn’t have enough power and was easily saved.