County 0 Eastleigh 1 (From South Wales Argus)

County 0 Eastleigh 1

10:13pm Wednesday 25th February 2009 in Latest Football By Michael Pearlman

NEWPORT County's striker crisis cost them dearly at Spytty Park as the Exiles were beaten by promotion hopefuls Eastleigh, a fourth league loss in five games for Dean Holdsworth's side.

County must now anxiously look over their shoulders again at the Conference South relegation places after losing out despite a spirited display, the Exiles' woefully inadequate squad (in terms of numbers) extremely worrying for the few remaining supporters still turning up for games.

The strength, or lack thereof, in the County ranks was apparent even before kick-off, the Exiles lining up in a 4-5-1 formation with no recognised striker.

Front runner Craig Reid missed out with his hamstring trouble and giant defender Paul Cochlin – fresh from an unexpected holiday to Antigua (booked before his return to Spytty Park) was given the lone striker role, a position to my knowledge he has never played as a professional.

So short were County that they were only able to name three substitutes, Matt Smith and Kevin Stephens joined by goalkeeper Keiron Blackburn (with five academy players unavailable due to Wales schools call-ups).

Winger Kevin Cooper missed out with a bruised foot, though Nathan Davies' return from a three-month hiatus was at least a semblance of good news. One can only speculate as to whether the subject of the gaffer donning his boots one last time ever entered the equation, but Cochlin would certainly have been grateful if he had!

The only advantage for County was perhaps an element of surprise, the visitors shocked to see County lining up so defensively, though Sam Foley did attempt to offer support to the isolated Cochlin.

It was the Hampshire outfit who produced the first effort, but Tony Taggart's shot was well stopped by Glyn Thompson, before some desperately deep defending again denied the winger.

Sometimes clichés ring true and of course, it was from set-pieces that County would pose most of a threat, as it proved on ten minutes when they squandered a rare guilt-edged chance.

Aaron Cook's presence forced the visitors into a poor clearance and Kris Leek fired through the crowd, dragging his effort just wide of the post with goalkeeper Jason Matthews rooted to the spot.

The visitors were more inventive in open play and Brett Williams' 23rd minute effort was again well held by Thompson.

However, despite the odds being stacked against them County didn't lack for endeavour and on 33 minutes Cochlin almost broke the deadlock, forcing Matthews to save impressively after getting just a toe to Rose' wicked cross, though seconds earlier Williams missed a free header for Eastleigh after Anthony Riviere's fine run and cross.

Still County gamely pushed forward and just before the interval Cochlin again went close, heading Davies' cross firmly at the near post, only for Matthews to scoop the ball onto the bar.

Praise for County's first half performance was universal at the interval, although of course with 'considering the side we've got out' attached.

However, one couldn't help but feel the visitors had underperformed and just after the interval they went ahead, hesitant defending from County after a succession of Eastleigh throws proving costly. The Exiles couldn't clear and Ashley Carew collected on the edge of the box, curling a right-footed effort past the despairing dive of Thompson.

It was slightly against the run of play, but the visiting side were well aware of County limitations in attack and instead pressed hard for the ball in midfield as the game progressed, happy to sit deep defensively and take their chances against Cochlin when the Exiles were able to break (which was rarely, it must be said).

Eastleigh were dominating the contest by now – they are a giant side with plenty of power and pace – key ingredients for success in this league. Just past the hour they almost put the game to bed when Peter Adeniyi's cross just evaded Jamie Brown.

Cochlin was withdrawn with under 20 minutes remaining, Matt Smith switching to the left of a midfield five ahead of a back three (Cook, Steve Jenkins and Martyn Giles), Ashley Vickers moving to the auxiliary striker role alongside Rose to no avail.

County: Thompson, Jenkins, Giles, Turk, Cook, Vickers, Rose, Davies (Stephens 84), Cochlin (Smith 74), Foley, Leek

Sub not used: Blackburn

Eastleigh: Matthews, Clark, Byles, Riviere, Jordan (Sharp 90), Martin, Adeniyi, Carew, Brown, Williams (Groves 81), Taggart (Brayley 39)

Subs not used: Howells, Challis

Referee: Simon Knapp

Attendance: 540

Argus star man: Kris Leek