EASTLEIGH manager Ben Strevens admits disappointment at FA Cup elimination to Boreham Wood but points out how the “killer” goal came during additional time for a feigned injury.

Fellow National League side Boreham Wood continued a fine season that sees them top the league table with the 2-0 victory over the travelling Spitfires side to reach the FA Cup second round.

It’s a second consecutive exit at this stage of the competition for the Hampshire outfit, despite a good first-half performance until an additional time opener.

Scott Boden netted a brace to seal the win but his first came during the added-on time which Strevens says was awarded due to goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond looking to buy his side some time to organise, after eating early pressure from Eastleigh.

Strevens told the club website: “The irony of their goal is that came in injury time which was given due to their ‘keeper going down and pretending like he’s injured, because they wanted to sort out their formation to something they could play against us in.

“That’s football. But we didn’t get going in the second-half, and that’s probably more because of what Luke (Garrard) and his team did to nullify us.

“The goal before half-time was the key one that hurt us, the difference in going in at 0-0 versus 1-0 down was difficult for all of us.

“I try not to make the messages you’re giving any different but it is just the feeling of being 1-0 down, and feeling like you’re playing good stuff.”

The meeting between the sides was the second in recent weeks after they played out a 1-1 draw live on BT Sport which Eastleigh themselves just edged, if not for a dubious penalty decision going against them.

But Strevens has admitted that credit should go to Wood boss Luke Garrard and his team for deserved progression to the next round, on this occasion.

He continued: “I’m disappointed to bow out.

“I thought the first half we were playing well and had some chances, not open but the majority of possession, and feeling like we were in a comfortable position.

“The goal right at the end of the first half was a bit of a killer for us, it gave them a chance to go in at half-time and talk about how we were playing against them and then they nullified us in the second half.

“We tried to make the changes to get us back into the game but, credit to them, they didn’t allow it.

“Like they have most of the season, they ground us out to keep the clean sheet and got the second goal which killed the feeling of getting back into it.”