Spitfires boss Baird rues missed chances after Dorch defeat (From Daily Echo)

Spitfires boss Baird rues missed chances after Dorch defeat

11:54am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in Sport By Wendy Gee

Eastleigh endured stoppage-time heartbreak at Dorchester Town last night as they went down 1-0 in the Blue Square Bet South.

With the game seemingly destined for a goalless draw, substitute Adam Everett was penalised for a foul on Ben Watson 25 yards out.

And it was super sub Jamie Reid who punished Eastleigh in the 94th minute, curling a free kick over the wall and past keeper Jack Dovey.

It made galling viewing for manager Ian Baird who, once again, felt his pre-season title favourites had failed to make the most of their chances.

Skipper and set-piece maestro Daryl McMahon hit the bar with a free kick on the stroke of half- time – the third time the Spitfires have been frustrated by the woodwork in the last two matches.

But more concerning for Baird was his side’s wasteful finishing with Craig McAllister, Dale Binns and Marvin Williams all passing up decent chances.

“We’ve missed five good chances again tonight and I’m not just talking speculative efforts. They’re all chances that should have been put away,” said the Spitfires boss.

“You know when that happens that it will come back to bite you on the backside.

“Dorchester only had two efforts – one was comfortably saved by Jack Dovey and the other one ended up in the back of the net.”

With last night’s defeat following Saturday’s 3-1 disappointment at home to Dover Athletic, Eastleigh – the pre-season title favourites – have slipped to 13th place. Dorchester, in contrast, are second.

“The amount of chances we’ve missed this season has cost us,” sighed Baird.

“I’d have been disappointed to come away drawing 0- 0 tonight, so to lose 1-0 is a real kick in the proverbials.”