STEWART Donald was left feeling he is pumping his money in the wrong direction after Eastleigh’s slender Vanarama Conference play-off semi-final defeat at home to Grimsby.

The Eastleigh chairman/owner revealed this week that he has ploughed nearly £3 million of personal funds into transforming the Spitfires from Conference South strugglers to within touching distance of the Football League.

But after witnessing some of the decisions that went against the Spitfires in last night’s 2-1 reverse against a powerful Mariners side, he is wondering if he should channel some of his wealth into improving refereeing standards.

“Everyone saw on the telly what happened,” he said, reflecting on a high-tempo, bruising game played in front of the BT Sport cameras.

“I’ve spent an awful lot of money getting this facility and this club up to a certain standard.

“When you’ve spent the money I have and you see the level of the officials, I’m thinking perhaps I should divert some funds into training them,” he said.

“We’re not in good nick after that. We’ve been battered and bruised and (striker) James Constable has got a hole in his foot from a tackle in the first half and he’s got to have stitches.”

One big flashpoint came in the 31st minute when sponsors’ man-of-the-match Jai Reason was badgering Grimsby ‘keeper James McKeown, who was in possession of the ball inside his area, and the Mariners stopper responded by shoving him to the ground.

“If the ref thinks Jai has committed a foul he should have blown up before the goalie pushed Jai over,” said Donald.

“If he’s not seen a foul at that stage, then it should have been a penalty.

“There were quite a few decisions that went against us that I’m upset about.”

Donald, though, conceded that the visitors deserved to take a one-goal advantage back to Blundell Park tomorrow.

“Let’s be fair, Grimsby deserved to win,” he said.

"Their fans were superb and they added to the occasion.

“They started stronger than us and the goal they got at the very start was enough for them.

“On reflection, we’re still in the tie, but we’ve got it all to do up there.”