EASTLEIGH welcomed in new manager Ronnie Moore with a 0-0 Vanarama National League draw at Wrexham this afternoon.

It was solid rather than spectacular by the Spitfires, but the clean sheet will have come as a welcome boost after Tuesday’s slap-dash 4-2 home defeat by Dover which cost Moore’s predecessor Chris Todd his job.

Although Moore was out on the pitch with the players before kick-off, the side was taken by caretaker boss Ben Strevens who made five changes from the Dover game. Ross Flitney replaced Arsenal loanee Ryan Huddart in goal and Connor Essam, Adam Dawson, Ryan Bird and fans’ favourite Jai Reason started.

Skipper Joe Partington, Luke Coulson and David Pipe all missed out through injury.

Wrexham had the better of the first-half with the Spitfires grateful to Flitney for a superb double save on 31 minutes. The Spitfires stopper brilliantly denied Nottingham Forest loanee Gerry McDonagh from four yards before smothering John Rooney’s follow-up. Flitney then diverted a Paul Rutherford effort wide later in the half.

Eastleigh, who came more into the game after the break, had headed chances in each half – by Bird and Ryan Cresswell – while Reason had a low 73rd-minute drive saved by Dragons’ former AFC Bournemouth keeper Shwan Jalal.

The visitors piled on the pressure in stoppage time at the Racecourse Ground with sub James Constable firing wide.

Strevens summed up: “We kept a nice shape and made it hard for Wrexham.

“We wanted to get three points, but it wasn’t to be, but the effort and commitment the boys showed was pleasing.”

*AFC Totton’s miserable week continued with a 2-0 FA Cup exit at lower league Gillingham Town, beaten by a goal in each half from Aiden Chainey and Will Agbo.

Blackfield & Langley took a sixth-minute Jamie White lead but had Luke Winsper sent off in a 2-1 home reverse by Paulton Rovers, but there was good news for Winchester City and Sholing.

Winchester won their preliminary round tie 3-0 at US Portsmouth through Ed Dryden and Craig Feeney (2), while Sholing (Alex Sawyer, Pete Castle) came back from behind to win 2-1 at Bashley, booking a home showdown with Havant & Waterlooville.