EASTLEIGH were denied a golden opportunity to narrow the gap on Blue Square South leaders AFC Wimbledon on Easter Monday – by one of their own employees!

Danny Smith who, with his brother Wayne, runs the Silverlake’s football-in-the-community department, shot down the Spitfires in a surprise 1-0 defeat at already relegated Bognor Regis Town.

With Wimbledon held 2-2 at Bromley and second-placed Hampton & Richmond Borough drawing 0-0 at Hayes & Yeading, Ian Baird’s men will never have had a better chance to stake their claim for the title and the one automatic promotion place.

But Smith, their popular former midfielder and captain, had other ideas, scoring the winner with 58 minutes gone.

The Rocks won a corner on the right and, when Louie Castle’s kick was flicked on, Smith hammered in a volley from 12 yards.

Eastleigh had their chances, but it was an unexpectedly poor showing from a side who were proudly sitting top of the BS South form chart with six wins from their last six games.

“We weren’t at our best. I’d have to say it was a disappointing performance,” admitted a choked boss, Ian Baird, afterwards. “It seems that whenever Bognor play any side of mine they treat it like a cup final and that’s exactly how they celebrated their win today. But full credit to them.”

With Anthony Riviere still not over his groin problem, Eastleigh were further weakened by having to leave Tony Taggart and Jamie Brown out of their starting line-up.

“Taggart had a tight hamstring and the last time he had one of those and said he was fit, he was out for five weeks,” said Baird. “As for Jamie, he’s on 14 bookings. If he’d got another one, it would mean him missing both legs of the play-off semi-finals and the final itself.

“We couldn’t take the risk.

“It’s no excuse though. With the squad we’ve got, we should have been capable of winning.”

Bognor, who had lost their previous four games, welcomed goalkeeper Anthony Ender back from a six-week ankle injury and he helped protect the Rocks’ lead with a fine late save from Eastleigh substitute Brett Williams.

Tom Jordan, twice, and Jonny Dixon also went close for the Spitfires, but Baird admitted: “Overall we can’t have too many complaints about the result. I’m angry because this was a big opportunity for us, but I can’t let that disappointment take over too much.

“Mathematically we’re still not out of the title race, although it’s a big ask. We’ve got to beat Worcester (home) on Saturday and make sure there’s something on the last game at Havant (on April 25).

With two games to go, Eastleigh are five points adrift of Wimbledon and two behind Hampton, who host the Dons this Saturday.

For more football, don't miss this week's Hampshire Chronicle.