Eastleigh boss Paul Doswell reckons poor pitches are ruining his enjoyment of the Dr Martens Eastern Division.

Having led his side to the Wessex championship last season, Doswell had great expectations of how life would be at a higher level but, after stumbling to a 1-0 defeat on an atrocious surface at Sittingbourne on Saturday, he admitted: "I'm disappointed in this league. The officials are no better than in the Wessex, the crowds are not much better and some of the pitches are worse.

"I had three players turn their ankles at Sittingbourne. It was like a dust crater with rabbit holes all over it. Even their supporters were joking about it and asked us if we'd brought our pitch forks.

"We tried to prepare ourselves professionally by travelling on a nice coach and so on, but we're a passing side and these surfaces are a great leveller. Even Maradona couldn't play on a pitch like that.

"We missed six or seven clear-cut chances but I can't come down too hard on my players because a lot of that was where the ball was bouncing and bobbling. Sittingbourne are a poor side, but a pitch like that evens things up.

"We never have a problem at home because the Ten Acres surface is perfect and I can guarantee that, when Sittingbourne come to us, we will win convincingly."

To add to Eastleigh's misery, Paul Sales, who had an effort cleared off the line after six minutes, limped off at half-time with a serious-looking groin problem which is certain to keep him out of Wednesday's (7.45) visit from his old club Bashley.

He joins a growing injury list that kept Chris Collins, Danny Woods, Phil Warner and Tyronne Bowers (flu) out of Saturday's game, while David Hughes only made a brief appearance off the bench.

In their absence, 16-year-old central midfielder Adam Lowther and 19-year-old frontman Dave Greening made their full debuts.

Sittingbourne grabbed an 88th-minute winner when a defensive error let in Bradley Spice.

The result dropped Eastleigh to fifth, but Doswell insisted: "No one's confidence is dented and we're still striving to stay in the top six."

In the Southampton FA Senior Cup, semi-finalists of the last two seasons, Mottisfont were beaten on penalties by Botley Village.

Another shock saw Eastleigh Comrades ko Winchester City's second string on penalties after a thrilling 4-4 draw (John Ellard, Mick Randall, Duane Neufville and John Tabiri).

Eastleigh Com Reserves also progressed with a narrow 3-2 win at BTC Reserves.

Four goals in a ten-minute spell early in the second half helped Eastleigh Reserves overcome Hamble Harriers 6-0.