The Missioners came from behind to earn three points this afternoon but remain in serious trouble at the wrong end of the table as Weston scored a shock 5-1 victory at Dorchester Town to keep them a single point ahead.

The game started poorly for the home side as they fell behind after just six minutes. Skipper Peter Collins did an excellent job in blocking a Steve Watts drive inside the six yard box and as the ball returned to the striker he was felled by a returning Jamie Jarvis and referee Forrester pointed to the spot. Andy Forbes stepped up and fired past Kevin Davies.

The Spitfires could have doubled their advantage minutes later as a right side corner flew over Watts' head but fell nicely to Steve West but he failed to hit the target from six yards.

It took the Missioners 20 minutes to create their first meaningful chance, Josh Scott and Liam Feeney combined well on the left before Feeney's cross clipped a defender and went away for a corner off the outside of the post.

Watts was again presented with a good chance a couple of minutes later after good work from Forbes set up the striker but with the defence static he fired over Davies' crossbar. Watts was again in the thick of it seven minutes before the break as Carl Wilson-Dennis worked the ball to his strike partner but his shot from the edge of the box was off target.

Four minutes later the Spitfires should have doubled their advantage when Forbes found himself on the end of a free-kick six yards from goal but he miscued his header across goal when it looked easier to score and very quickly they were made to pay. Within two minutes the Missioners had pulled level, Will Hendry sent a fine ball forwards to Kieran Knight and the hard working striker pulled the ball back across the edge of the box where Scott his a rasping drive that hit the underside of the bar before nestling nicely in the back of the net.

The second half started at a brisk pace with the strong wind now in the home sides favour. An Eastleigh corner again fell nicely to Watts who failed to hit the target and once again the Missioners swept upfield and found the net. Gilbert Nuako received the ball on the left and sent a long ball down the flank for Scott to chase, keeper James Pullen started out after the ball but appeared to stop midway which gave the Hayes striker the chance to push the ball past him and into the net for his second of the game.

Hayes really began to believe and with the excellent midfield combination of Hendry and Ridgway chasing all over the pitch it was becoming harder and harder for the visitors to get forwards without a long ball against the wind. It was the home side who were creating more chances in the middle part of the half, Pullen held onto a Knight free-kick at the second attempt before fumbling a Hendry free-kick with Francis Benali sliding in to deny Jack Haverson as the ball came loose.

Hendry and Benali then had a free-kick apiece held by the respective keepers before a Nuako interception kept the lead intact as he rose to head the ball away as Forbes arrived for a Benali cross that had beaten Davies. Ten minutes remained and Daniel Dyer dispossessed Benali just outside his own area, switched the ball to his right foot and got his shot away only to see it deflect wide of the target.

The final chance of the game came just a minute from time, Darren Wheeler's cross from the left was well cut out by Jarvis, the ball however fell nicely to Liam Green but his volley was wide much to everybody in red and whites relief.

We now go into cup final number two on Tuesday night knowing we still have much work to do but anything is still possible.



Report by Kevin Watts.

Photos by Ray Peploe.