ALDERSHOT TOWN 0, EASTLEIGH 1

AN unlucky Aldershot Town extended their lean run to just one win in seven games after losing the Hampshire derby to Eastleigh on Tuesday.

In a highly entertaining National League match in which both teams created a number of good chances, it was the home side’s lack of quality in the final third which cost them a deserved point.

Both teams started brightly and several chances went begging in the opening 20 minutes.

But as rain began to pour down, errors crept into the game, with Eastleigh’s Ross Stern almost putting Aldershot through on goal with a sliced clearance.

Aldershot goalkeeper Mark Smith struggled with the conditions as a succession of wayward kicks into touch drew groans from the home fans.

The Shots soon regained their composure and the first big chance fell to top scorer Scott Rendell who looped a header onto the roof of the net after brilliant work by the ever-lively Iffy Allen.

The Shots’ all-action midfield duo of Jim Kellermann and Jake Gallagher were controlling the game and it wasn’t until the 30th minute that Eastleigh had a decent chance.

After Will Evans conceded a free-kick, Smith made up for his wayward kicking with a fine save from Spitfires’ top scorer Mikael Mandron.

This signalled a frantic last 15 minutes of the first half.

Aldershot immediately won a free-kick and the resulting cross took a wicked deflection and struck the post.

Eastleigh should have taken the lead when a fizzing cross from Luke Coulson somehow evaded the onrushing attackers.

The East Bank got even louder when Eastleigh keeper Scott Brown made a sliding effort to collect a loose ball. His momentum took him out of his area and despite demands for a red card, he picked up just yellow.

Moments later, in stoppage time, Aldershot’s good work was undone as Eastleigh took the lead against the run of play.

Right-back Joe Partington drilled the ball across the six-yard box and Mandron this time fired home for his eighth goal of the season.

The injured Matt McClure was replaced for the second half by Charlie Walker who had a 45 minutes to forget.

Aldershot started the half flat, still reeling from their setback, while FA Cup giantkillers Eastleigh now looked dangerous with every attack.

However, the home side thought they had their breakthrough in the 55th minute. After some neat build-up play, the impressive Anthony Straker picked out Kellerman in the box and he shot home, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Soon after, Aldershot had their best chance to draw level. Bernard Mensah volleyed a pass over the top of the defence into the path of Nick Arnold who laid a goal on a plate for Walker, who could only skew the ball wide of the far post.

As the clock ticked down, fellow substitute Idris Kanu hesitated when given the chance to shoot and Walker’s wayward long-range effort ended another frustrating game for Aldershot.

Eastleigh leapfrogged Aldershot into eighth place with this their third away win of the season.

Shots manager Gary Waddock remained in positive mood. “Today was a good response from the boys after Saturday. Every player gave their all and that’s all we ever ask.

“We played well in between the boxes, but games are won and loss in penalty areas and we didn’t manage the game well enough before half-time, which allowed them to score.

“We should have done better with the opportunities we had. The timing of the goal was cruel and it’s been a difficult month with the teams we’ve played against. But when you look at the performances, we’ve done really well.”

Aldershot: Smith; Arnold, Evans, Conroy, Straker; Allen (Wakefield 73), Gallagher, Kellermann (Kanu 73), Mensah; Rendell, McClure (Walker 46). Subs (not used): Saville, Alexander.

Eastleigh: Brown; Partington, N’Gala, Essam, Green; Taylor, Coulson, Reason; Wilson (Constable 86), Stearn (Santon 67), Mandron. Subs (not used): Huddart, Pipe, Cureton. Booked: Brown, N’Gala, Partington, Reason.

Referee: Robert Whitton.

Attendance: 1,609 (252 away).