NO HOME COMFORTS RIGHT NOW FOR HEED

GATESHEAD are in danger of undoing all their good run on the road after another frustrating 90 minutes at the International Stadium.

Steve Watson’s Heed have won their last three away games – but have now lost their last three on home soil.

A benevolent Gateshead handed rock-bottom Braintree their only win of the season in their last home outing without scoring.

Despite scoring five goals in two fine away wins at Chesterfield and Barrow, the Tynesiders again pulled up short on home soil.

Full-back Robbie Tinkler hit the woodwork twice in three minutes during the second half and then Eastleigh countered to claim the winner.

It was a classic smash-andgrab as the Spitfires stretched their unbeatenrun to five games and made it three wins on the spin.

It was another clean sheet for Andy Hessenthaler’s side, who continue to climb the National League table.

Just as against Braintree defeat was harsh on Gateshead, but they need to find something extra if they are to pick up three point hauls on Tyneside.

“We were nowhere near good enough with the ball again,” Watson moaned.

“We’ve got six or seven creative players in the team that should be taking the game by the scruff of the neck.

“To be successful and stay in the top eight we need to be dominant at home as well as away, and the first goal was always going to be important.” The first half offered little in terms of goalmouth action, though Chris Zebrowski should have converted Josh Hare’s superb 18th-minute cross. Scott Boden shot weakly at Max Stryjek at the other end, Tinkler firing a ball across the face of goal that went untouched. The Heed were too slow in possession allowing Eastleigh to get men behind the ball, the visitors untroubled. Alex Wynter shot over for the Spitfires after the break, Gateshead having strong claims for a penalty turned down on eight minutes when Steve Rigg went down under the challenge of Reda Johnson. Tinkler’s 73rd minute curler from just outside the box hit the bar and he then hit the far post soon after, Stryjek beaten on both occasions. But when the Spitfires broke Hare found the net off the far post from 22yards to clinch all three points. “We had a nightmare journey up to Tyneside and it would have been a long way back if we had lost the game,” said Eastleigh boss Hessenthaler. “It was a fantastic result. I’m over the moon and now we’ve got a bit of momentum.” STAR MAN: Josh Hare (Eastleigh) ATT: 655 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Josh Smith 6/10