EASTLEIGH'S winning start to the Skrill Conference South season was halted 2-0 at Basingstoke Town.

The Spitfires gave Craig McAllister a starting berth with Yemi Odubade named on the substitutes' bench along with new signing Romone Rose.

Both teams had penalty appeals turned down before Basingstoke seized a 38th-minute lead through Jay Gasson.

Eastleigh dominated the early stages of the second half, but the north Hampshire hosts struck again in the 82nd minute when ex-Spitfire Robbie Matthews set up Neil Barrett to fire in off the post.

"For long spells we were the better team," said disappointed Easteigh boss Richard Hill.

"If we'd taken our chances, you'd have said what a good performance it was."