ALDERSHOT TN 0, EASTLEIGH 1

THINGS tend to run against you when you’re down and that was certainly the case for Aldershot Town as their dismal sequence continued with an early exit from the FA Trophy.

A replay against in-form Eastleigh seemed the least the Shots deserved, but it all went wrong for Barry Smith’s side after a late red card for key defender Omar Beckles.

Soon after, ex-Aldershot player Josh Payne broke free on the right and his cross was bundled in by substitute Ross Lafayette for Eastleigh’s winner.

Jim Stevenson then missed a glorious chance to equalise in injury time, leaving Aldershot to contemplate a seventh consecutive defeat in all competitions, equalling a club record.

And this at the start of a punishing Christmas schedule which includes Woking at home on Boxing Day and a trip to Silverlake on December 28 for the third meeting of the season with Eastleigh.

Since Chris Todd was appointed manager in September, Eastleigh have won 11 out of 14 league matches and lined up an FA Cup second-round meeting with Bolton. The Spitfires are particularly strong on the road, yet they were lucky to survive Aldershot’s early dominance at a very windy EBB Stadium.

The Shots could easily have scored twice inside the opening 15 minutes, both chances falling to Danny Carr, on loan from Cambridge United. Ross Flitney used his leg to block an on-target shot after Carr had wriggled through on the left.

And while Eastleigh were re-organising after a seventh-minute injury to skipper Paul Reid, Luke Oliver’s header set up Carr whose pointblank shot brought another suberb stop from Flitney.

Eastleigh looked tired after their recent exploits and it was 43 minutes before they managed a decent move, Odubade driving just over the bar from 18 yards after James Constable’s accurate pass.

Aldershot had faltered after their snappy start, but Charlie Walker’s clever positional play continued to trouble Eastleigh. Just before half-time, Dan Walker took a long free-kick on the left and Charlie, darting free, touched the ball agonisingly wide at the near post.

Predictably, Eastleigh raised their game in the second half, although, in truth, it was poor fare for an alarmingly small crowd of 877 – Aldershot’s lowest of the season for a competitive fixture.

Constable’s angled shot was well parried by the alert Phil Smith and Charlie Walker went closer at the other end when he showed great skill to control a left-wing cross and then hook a sweet shot inches past the far post.

There was some muttering when Charlie Walker, later to be named man of the match, was replaced by Richard Brodie.

But with the defences looking comfortable, a replay seemed the likeliest result. Then, on 80 minutes, Beckles and Lee Cook wrestled for a through-ball, the Eastleigh man was left on the ground, and referee Derek Eaton, judging Beckles to be the last defender, showed him a red card.

Carr was sacrificed as Joe Oastler made his comeback in defence, but three minutes later substitute Jai Reason sprayed the ball out to Payne who played in a low cross and after Odubade’s initial effort, Lafayette got the final touch in the goalmouth melee.

A last-ditch block by Cheye Alexander denied Eastleigh a quick second goal before Aldershot squandered their best opportunity to take the tie back to Silverlake.

Brodie’s brave header squirted out to Stevenson who was left in a one-on-one with Flitney. But the eager midfielder overran the ball and the advancing keeper was able to smother. Stevenson pulled his shirt over his head.

Aldershot: Smith, Alexander, Beckles, Oliver, McGinty, Browne, Lathrope, Stevenson, D Walker, C Walker (Brodie 72), Carr (Oastler 81). Subs (not used): Hatton, Richards, Thomas. Booked: Brodie. Sent off: Beckles.

Eastleigh: Flitney, Atkinson, Partington, Green, Strevens, Drury (Lafayette 74), Payne, Cook, Odubade, Reid (Harding 7), Constable. Subs: Reason (for Harding 60). Not used: Noice, Fanimo. Booked: Reason.

Referee: Derek Eaton.

Attendance: 877 (96 away).