GOALKEEPER Jason Matthews must shoulder a large chunk of the blame for Eastleigh’s miserable 4-1 home defeat by Staines on Saturday.

A couple of uncharacteristic blunders by the 35-year-old for mer Salisbury, Exeter and Weymouth stopper resulted in two gift goals for the Swans, who had arrived at the Silverlake a lowly 18th in the Blue Square Bet South.

But in a week when the Spitfires let slip five valuable points in their faltering pro motion push, manager Ian Baird was quick to point out that keepers are a far easier target for criticism than their outfield colleagues.

Four days earlier the fault had lain at the other end of the pitch when, following a cata logue of missed chances, Eastleigh were disappointing ly pegged back for a 2-2 draw at Hampton & Richmond.

“Jason’s mistakes were there for all to see. He was culpable,”

said Baird after Saturday’s heavy loss.

“Those two goals he conced ed have seriously cost us and Staines will think they’ve had all their Christmases and birthdays rolled into one.

“But in the three years I’ve been at Eastleigh, Jason has saved us on many an occasion.

“On Tuesday our strikers missed a hatful of chances, but they won’t get lambasted like Jason.”

Full report in today's Daily Echo