Eastleigh’s promotion aspirations look as if they will have to be put on hold for a season following another defeat at the weekend.

The Bishopstoke Road side still hold third place in London 3 South-West but are 12 points adrift of second and a further point off leaders Andover.

Eastleigh really needed a positive result from the trip to Old Tiffinians but lost out 23-10 – their third loss in a row.

Travel delays meant the side, with nine regular first team players missing, only had a 20-minute warm-up for the game, in which an opponent suffered a suspected broken ankle.

Eastleigh were 10-0 down at half-time but got back into the contest after the break with a try from scrum half Sean Hayes.

The visitors went further behind but came back with a touchdown from full back Jack Curtis after the game was switched to another pitch following the serious injury.

Eastleigh then gave a way a couple of penalties as they looked to get back into the contest.

Head coach Andy Boyes said: “Overall I’m pleased with our performance given we had nine regular first team players unavailable and only had a 20-minute warm up.

“The game was evenly contested with Old Tiffinians taking their opportunities to score better than us.

“We wish the Old Tiffinians back who broke his ankle a speedy recovery.”