A late goal sees the Spitfires get beaten by Forest Green Rovers at the New Lawn.

Despite having the majority of the chances, Eastleigh’s efforts against a high-flying Forest Green Rovers side are not rewarded.

Sean Long gave the home side the lead in the 64th minute, following a bit of luck.

It was not long before Eastleigh skipper, Jake Taylor, came up with an equaliser from the penalty spot.

In the dying moments, Jamie Robson managed to find the back of the net, to earn them all three points.

Liam Sercombe looked set to give Forest Green the lead of the game in the 18th minute. The ball was crossed into his path, before he met it in the air and redirected it towards the target. Joe McDonnell was there to palm the ball away from danger, keeping the score level.

In the 24th minute, Jake Taylor curled a corner into the box. The ball swerved it’s way towards goal, forcing Fabian Mrozek in the Forest Green goal to fist it away from his line to deny the Spitfires from grabbing the lead.

Just before the half hour mark, Angel Waruih whipped the ball into the area. Luis Fernandez was able to meet the cross, but by the time he did, the ball was at such a difficult angle and height that he was unable to keep it in play.

Ludwig Francillette fancied his chance on the spin not too long after the Fernandez chance. He hit the ball with venom from range, but could not direct the ball towards goal, and saw it fly wide of the mark.

The Spitfires continued to put pressure on the Forest Green goal, with Chris Maguire having the next attempt at putting Eastleigh into the lead. Jesurun Uchegbulam dragged the ball back into his path, before Maguire took his shot. He did not get his desired contact with the ball, and saw it loop over the crossbar.

The last shot of the half fell for Jai Semenyo in the 42nd minute. The ball trickled back into his path on the edge of the area, allowing his to unleash a powerful left footed shot. But, he could not quite manage to find the target with his shot, as he saw it fly marginally wide.

The first big chance of the second-half came after a fast break. Uchegbulam burst down the left, before giving Maguire the ball in a good area. He then hit the ball towards goal, but saw his effort get blocked by the Forest Green defence.

Ryan Inniss then had a cheeky attempt on goal, with a flicked effort, after meeting a cross. His shot would get blocked, in front of a congested goalmouth.

The home side then went and took the lead, completely against the run of play. Sean Long whipped a cross into the box, which got the better of Joe McDonnell, before finding it’s way into the back of the net.

Eastleigh responded quickly, by going up the other end and winning a penalty. Jake Taylor stepped up, and slotted the ball home into the bottom left corner in impressive fashion to level the scoring again.

Jamie Robson looked to grab a late equaliser, but couldn’t find the target, and sent the ball flying comfortably over the target.

Moments later, Robson had a second bite at the cherry, and made no mistake. His initial shot hit the post, before trickling back out to him. He slotted the ball home into the open net to snatch a late win for the home side.

Forest Green Rovers: Mrozek (GK), Long, Inniss, McAllister, McCann (Doidge, 78′), Sercombe, Knowles (Bunker, 70′), Robson, May, Cardwell (J Quigley, 78′), Harries

Unused subs: Tozer, Osadebe, Garrick, McCormick

Goals: Long (64′), Robson (90′)

Eastleigh: McDonnell (GK), Brindley, Fernandez, Francillette, Taylor (C), Hodson (Humphries, 78′), Uchegbulam (Quigley, 66′), Waruih, Semenyo (Boutin, 66′), Pyke (Maguire, 13′) (Ryan, 88′), Maher

Unused subs: Scott (GK), Underhill

Goals: Taylor (P) (69′)

Referee: Stephen Parkinson

Attendance: 1,634 (139 away)

Report by Matthew Gibbs