EASTLEIGH boss Chris Todd was left with contrasting emotions after Saturday’s 1-1 home draw against Wrexham.

On the one hand he was disappointed to see a plethora of chances go begging as the Spitfires lost further ground on league leaders Forest Green Rovers with their fourth successive league draw.

But, on the other, he knew it would have been far worse had Dragons skipper Connor Jennings not sent a late penalty thudding against the crossbar and over.

Given the number of chances Eastleigh created during the match, it would have been a grave injustice had they lost – in fact Welshman Todd went as far as to use the word “criminal”.

He did, however, concede that the Spitfires – now unbeaten in seven league games - partially had themselves to blame for not being deadly enough in front of goal.

“We had enough chances to win, but we weren’t clinical enough and we have to be better than that,” he conceded.

“It’s good that we’re not losing, but we need to turn these draws into wins.

“But, at the end of the game, I was happy with a point because they could have scored with a penalty late on and, in my view, it would have criminal to lose it there.”

In the Spitfires’ defence, a combination of events had conspired to leave them short of fire power.

Top scorer James Constable could not be risked with a tweaked thigh muscle – although he is expected to be back to face Bromley at home on Tuesday (7.45pm).

And an ongoing deal to bring in a new frontman which, when completed, Todd says will be a “massive coup” for the club, has not gone through as quickly as Eastleigh had hoped.

The Spitfires oozed creativity on a sodden Silverlake pitch that, with a bit of extra sanding, was finally passed fit shortly before 2pm.

It was hardly an ideal surface for attractive football, but try telling that to skipper Andy Drury who fired Eastleigh in front in exquisite fashion with ten minutes gone.

Turning onto Joe Partington’s short throw-in on the right, he cleverly escaped his marker and darted diagonally towards the corner of the area before sending a beautifully-weighted strike into the far top corner of Rhys Taylor’s net.

Partington’s enterprising runs down the right flank were a feature of the first half and it was just a pity that he unwittingly had a hand in Wrexham’s 18th-minute leveller. In trying to clear the ball in the boggy penalty area, it bounced off him into the path of Sean Newton who slipped his shot through ’keeper Ross Flitney’s legs.

Partington did not reappear after the break – a quad problem adding to a growing injury list that has already claimed Constable, skipper Paul Reid (groin) and forward Yemi Odubade (hamstring).

It did at least give Todd the chance to look at Luke Coulson – newly signed from Oxford City – in his more familiar right-back role after he had started the game further upfield.

Although Eastleigh have not disclosed the fee they paid for the highly-rated 21-year-old, it is believed to be in excess of the club record £18,000 paid for Andy Forbes in 2004.

“I thought Luke did well considering he didn’t know anyone and had only met two or three of the lads before today,” said Todd. “It’s hard stepping up to our level and it will take him time to adjust to the pace. But he’s a talented boy and he’s played in two positions today which just goes to show he’s versatile.”

Josh Payne, Jack Midson, Drury and sub Ben Strevens could all have put Eastleigh in the driving seat before they so nearly self-destructed at the death.

In trying to atone for a mix-up involving ’keeper Flitney, defender Will Evans brought down Wrexham sub Wes York inside the area.

He escaped with a yellow card and the Spitfires had an almighty let-off when Jennings fluffed his lines from 12 yards.

Wrexham boss Gary Mills admitted: “I’m happy and disappointed in the same breath that we got a point away to Eastleigh. To miss a penalty with a couple of minutes to go is tough on us.”

Eastleigh: Ross Flitney, Joe Partington (Ben Strevens, 46), Dan Harding, Josh Payne, Will Evans, Jamie Turley, Andy Drury, Jai Reason. Jack Midson, Kaid Mohamed (Lee Cook, 77), Luke Coulson. Subs (not used): Michael Green, Ollie Griggs, Michael Poke.

Wrexham: Rhys Taylor, Jevan Vidal, Sean Newton, Emanuel Smith, Blaine Hudson, Jamal Fyfield, Connor Jennings, James Gray (Kayden Jackson, 81), Rob Evans, Simon Heslop, Mark Beck (Wes York, 81). Subs (not used): Lee Fowler, Dominic Vose, Louis Briscoe.

Referee: Constantine Hatzidakis

Attendance: 1,904