EASTLEIGH boss Richard Hill claimed his side were "outworked at times" and that contributed to them being beaten 2-1 by AFC Fylde in the National League.
The visitors picked up a much-needed three points at the Silverlake Stadium to improve their chances of survival and dent Eastleigh's playoff hopes.
Josh Kay and Nick Haughton scored either side of half time to help Fylde achieve their third-straight win.
Scott Quigley had an effort disallowed for the hosts before January signing Ben Reeves reduced the deficit with a powerful strike after a through-ball was only half-cleared.
Fylde goalkeeper Theo Richardson preserved his side’s victory in added time when he tipped a Jake Taylor header over the crossbar.
Speaking after the game to Eastleigh's media team, Hill insisted the Spitfires' slow start proved costly.
He said: "We didn’t start well enough. We didn’t really get going and it was too little, too late in the end.
“There were two simple goals that we have given away. It was way too easy again defensively but not just the defence, they went through the midfield way too easily.
"A lot of the time in the first half, we didn’t play with any tempo and we kept getting in each other’s way. It’s frustrating for everyone involved."
A positive from the afternoon for Eastleigh was that Enzio Boldewijn made his 500th professional appearance.
The Spitfires boss paid tribute to the Dutchman's achievement despite it being a disappointing afternoon for the club.
Hill continued: "Anyone that can make 500 appearances is unbelievable. It was a massive occasion for him. He should be proud of it. Congratulations to him.
“We have got to do a lot of reflecting, I’ve got to do a lot of reflecting and I’m sure I will. I just felt today we were outworked at times for too long periods of the game.
"If that’s going to be the case then you’re not going to win football matches. We’ve half-turned the corner, gone full circle, and then come back."
Eastleigh are now winless since beating Dorking Wanderers on December 23 - with the latest defeat stretching that run to 10 matches without a victory.
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