IAN Baird has had many highs and lows in nearly 30 years in football, but he has never experienced anything like Eastleigh’s extraordinary 8-2 mauling by Thurrock.

Diabolical, freakish or downright embarrassing – call it what you like, but it’s something the 45-year-old ex-Saint never imagined he would be part of.

Even the Sky Sports vidiprinter spelt out the word EIGHT after the scoreline just in case anybody thought it was a misprint.

From the moment the Spitfires had fallen behind to a bizarre Brett Poate own goal on 14 minutes, it made excruciating viewing for former striker Baird, who played more than 500 professional games for the likes of Saints, Leeds United, Pompey, Middlesbrough and Hearts.

“The 75 minutes I stood on that touchline was the most painful experience I’ve ever had in football,” admitted the shell-shocked Spitfires boss.

“I’ve never been involved in a game like that before.

“It’s the worst result I’ve had as a manager or player."

Read the full report in today's Daily Echo