An Ian Chalk equaliser two minutes from time deprived league leaders Eastleigh of two precious Jewson Wessex League points at rain-swept Ten Acres last night.

Despite creating a shed-load of chances, Paul Doswell's ambitious title-chasers were held 1-1 by lowly Bemerton Heath Harlequins, who had lost their previous three games.

It continued an off-colour week for Eastleigh, who had their FA Vase dream painfully shattered by Porthleven last Saturday.

The home side got off to a perfect start when David Laws headed home ex-Saint Christer Warren's cross with just five minutes gone.

But, with Colin Hopkins rock-solid in the Harlequins goal, they failed to build on their lead and fell foul of a breakaway 88th-minute leveller from former Salisbury stalwart Chalk.

"The lads are all sitting in the dressing room bitterly disappointed," said Doswell afterwards. "It's not been a good week for us, but I'm sure other teams will have weeks like it too."

Eastleigh lost player/co-assistant manager Chris White with concussion ten minutes from time and Doswell reflected: "That didn't help us, but fair play to Bemerton, they kept going. Our lads played well but they didn't stick the ball away."

The result leaves Eastleigh three points clear of chasing Wimborne and Portland who have each played five games more.

The real danger lurks in fourth and fifth places where Lymington & New Milton and AFC Totton are, like Eastleigh, unbeaten.