PETERSFIELD Town exited the Hampshire Senior Cup with a narrow 1-0 defeat at National League outfit Eastleigh in the third round last Tuesday night.

The Rams battled hard in the dense fog and made a composed start to the game, showing no signs of real panic.

Eastleigh tried to build play from the back with flowing football, and Rams keeper Matt Petts was called into action in the opening minutes.

The first big chance of the game was created by the visitors. An excellent quick interchange of passing sent Marvin Orepo in on goal, but Eastleigh goalkeeper Ross Flitney closed him down, leaving little time to set the shot, and Orepo dragged his effort narrowly wide.

The fog surrounded the ground, making long ball play hard, and Eastleigh started to take control.

Lewis Beale weaved past a Petersfield defender and ran towards the box before forcing Petts to palm his effort wide with a strong right hand.

Eastleigh took the lead through a quick counter attack in the 39th minute.

From a Petersfield corner Eastleigh broke. With Nathan Clement and Liam Callaghan breaking, the Rams couldn’t clear the ball and an emphatic finish from Tom Bearwish into the top right-hand corner left Petts with no chance.

Another big show of support from the visiting fans spurred on an attacking start to the second half for Petersfield.

Eastleigh controlled most of the game, but Orepo posed a huge threat on the counter-attack. Showing brilliant pace, he beat Eastleigh’s left back and sent a cross towards Will Webb for a simple tap in. Eastleigh’s Josh Garraway was there, though, to prevent Webb getting a touch.

The Petersfield defence was very well organised and the visitors held their shape for the full 90 minutes, restricting the home side to long range efforts and other efforts which went straight at Petts.

Eastleigh were also well organised defensively, resulting in a midfield battle for most of the second period.

Petersfield threw men forward as they searched for an equaliser, and substitute Jake Bourton got in but Flitney was out quickly to close him down.

The Rams had a late penalty shout waved away as they continued to press.

Eastleigh brought on three first-team regulars to calm the game down and try to find a second goal.

Beale was free in the area and his effort was superbly blocked by a sliding tackle by Cam Smith, who blocked the ball not once but twice.