Somehow, Whites managed to leave Eastleigh’s Sparshatts Stadium empty handed, even though they controlled the game and had the majority of possession.

Another disappointing day for the Whites began with some good news, as Steve Browne finally got the striker that he has been chasing. Paul Armstrong lined up in a yellow shirt for the first time, up-front with Craig Wilkins. The rest of the side was similar to usual, though with Nick Grimes coming into midfield.

The game started promisingly, as both sides had early chances to take the lead. With only six minutes gone, Danny Smith shot from 20-yards out, but Dominique Jean-Zepherin tipped it onto the bar.

However, play immediately came down the other end, where Victor Renner saw his header cleared off of the line by Ryan Ashford from a dangerous in-swinging corner.

Renner then turned provider, as his delivery was deflected by Wilkins to set up Palmer, but he volleyed over as he was stretching to reach the cross.

Although Whites were having the best of the play, Eastleigh were still threatening, and Andy Forbes should have scored when left free in the centre, but blazed over from inside the box.

Ryan Ashford and Adam James both tried their luck from around 30-yards out, with the latter hitting the outside of the post. And although Paul Armstrong had a half-chance for the Whites, Eastleigh took the lead after 36 minutes.

Martin Thomas was allowed to run at our defence, and he then slipped it to Danny Smith who slotted past Jean-Zepherin. With this came the last real action of the first half, as Whites were left shocked as to how they were behind at halftime.

The second half was basically played out in the home sides half, like at Hampton the week before, as Whites attacked for the majority of the 45 minutes. The first chance of the half fell to Renner, who went on a mazy run before unleashing his shot, but it failed to greatly trouble Eastleigh keeper Wayne Shaw.

Stuart Maynard should have equalised on the hour, as he collected a Braithwaite cross, but volleyed over first time, when he could have taken a touch to steady himself.

As Whites pushed men forward, Eastleigh were a threat on the break. This was shown when Ryan Ashford free kick took a deflection, but Jean-Zepherin did well to get down to it.

The large band of travelling Whites were doing everything they could to encourage the players, but we were just not getting the rub of the green. Wilkins shot from 25-yards, but it went wide, and Armstrong’s effort seemed to be sailing into the top corner before taking a deflection.

Wilkins also headed over, before we hit the woodwork. Carruthers took an in-swinging corner from the left, and it looked to be heading straight in, but cannoned against the bar.

A flurry of bookings came with ten minutes left, including Dean Readings, who was not even on the pitch at the time, but he shouted something that he shouldn’t have at the linesman.

The final chance for the home side came when Paul Sales was left free in the centre, but Jean-Zepherin again did well to prevent the goal.

Shearer was pushed up-front for the final minutes as Whites did everything they could to get the equaliser. And Cloke, Rogers and Shearer all had chances in injury time, but all blazed their efforts over the bar.

So Whites again lost a league game that they shouldn’t have. It would be great if there were possession figures for the game, as Dover did control the game, but are not putting their chances away at the moment. The addition of Paul Armstrong to the side could finally bring that goalscoring touch. But as supporters we need to get behind Steve and the players, as on the evidence of this performance it is only a matter of time before we start picking up points again.