SUNDAY’S heartbreaking FA Cup second round exit at Southport has left manager Richard Hill feeling lower than at any point in his Eastleigh career.

Reflecting on the 2-1 reverse which he felt was littered with debatable decisions from referee Geoff Eltringham – notably the game-changing dismissal of Spitfires skipper Dean Beckwith – Hill confessed: “Silly as it sounds, this has hit me harder than the (Conference South) play-off defeat at Dover two seasons ago because of the build-up and expectation that went with it.

“I’ve had sleepless nights ever since. My players were fantastic and so were the fans. The thing that’s affected me most is that somebody else was in control of our destiny and I don’t like that.”

Somehow Hill must pick himself and his players up quickly as business resumes in the Vanarama Conference at third-to-bottom Alfreton Town in Derbyshire tonight.

Beckwith sits out the first of a two-match suspension, having already been sent off against Chester this season, and Will Evans is sidelined with a groin problem.

Fans’ favourite Michael Green “may or may not play”, according to Hill, who says that will remain the case for the foreseeable future while the left-back fights through an ankle problem.

“We’ve got to manage Greener carefully or else risk losing him for a long time,” the boss warned.

“As frustrating as it might be for some fans, we’ve got the well-being of the player to consider. Myself, Greener and (physio) Andy Cook will make the decision between us depending on how he feels. And depending on where we are with games, I’ll decide whether he’s starting, coming off the bench or whatever.”

Eastleigh are 11th, five points off play-off pace with at least two games in hand on those above. They have won just twice on the road in the league, at Nuneaton and Aldershot, but Hill said: “We’ve won seven, drawn one and lost two of our last ten league and cup games and that’s down to the players, they’ve been brilliant.

“No one’s more disappointed than me after Sunday, other than perhaps Stew (chairman Stewart Donald). I know the fans are upset too, but sometimes you need to take a step back (and reflect on what’s been achieved) before looking forward again.

“We’re going through one of the hardest runs of games since I’ve been at the club and my players could have done no more on Sunday other than score another goal.”