DISAPPOINTMENT was the overriding emotion following yesterday's 1-1 draw at Guiseley, yet there was no shortage of optimism in the Eastleigh camp.

While it was galling for the Spitfires to be pegged back by a Jake Lawlor equaliser six minutes into stoppage time, the performance was a massive improvement on the dire 1-0 home defeat to Woking last time out.

“It’s a difficult place to come and play and I thought the players gave a really good account of themselves,” said manager Martin Allen.

“They’ve worked extremely hard for the last two weeks and it was a fantastic performance we put in first half. We controlled the game and kept good possession.

“In the second half we battled well and I thought were ready to see the game out and keep a clean sheet.

“The lads were really upset to concede that goal last minute, but overall we were much better to watch. We got the ball down and played and had a lot more energy, which is what I was after.

“There’s a bit of a buzz in the dressing room and we’re ready now for two home games – Braintree (Tuesday, 7.45pm) and Tranmere (Saturday, 3pm) – and looking forward to putting on a good performance for our supporters.”

With new signings Chinua Cole, Sam Matthews and Ben Close all making their debuts, Eastleigh had a far more youthful feel about them.

But it was one of their old guard, 32-year-old striker James Constable, who fired them ahead on the stroke of half- time.

Scott Wilson and substitute Sam Muggleton missed chances to double the visitors’ slender advantage, which was heartbreakingly wiped out with the last kick of the game.

Following a corner from the left, Jordan Preston and Adam Boyes had efforts blocked for third-to-bottom Guiseley before Lawlor made it third time lucky.

Eastleigh skipper Sam Togwell said: “You can’t deny the performance was ten times better than the last outing. We got the ball more, we ran more, we were more dynamic. It was a pleasure to play in.

“It’s just a shame that, with 20 seconds to go, we couldn’t see the game out.”

The result lifts Eastleigh one place to 13th, still 11 points shy of the National League play-offs.