THE irony of Sutton United’s equaliser against Eastleigh yesterday was not lost on the Us’ former Spitfires boss Paul Doswell.

A major feature of the 1-1 Vanarama National League draw at Gander Green Lane was the long throw of new Eastleigh signing Sam Muggleton who, according to manager Martin Allen, can propel the ball further than ex-Saint Rory Delap.

The 21-year-old, signed from Allen’s old club Barnet last week, frequently launched it 60 yards to help pen the Us back in their own half on their 3G pitch.

But, ironically, it was Sutton rather than Eastleigh who scored from a throw and, to add insult to injury for the visitors, the 71st-minute equaliser involved no fewer than three former Spitfires.

Dan Spence hoisted it in, Dean Beckwith flicked it on and substitute Matt Tubbs, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Silverlake from Portsmouth, was there to nod it home from inside the six-yard box.

That cancelled out a sixth-minute looping header from the Spitfires’ on-loan Doncaster Rovers youngster Tyler Garratt set up by ex-Sutton winger Ross Stearn’s inviting cross after Spence had failed to clear his lines.

While ultra complimentary of Eastleigh’s discipline and organisation, Compton-based Doswell found the game “difficult to watch.”

“I got a crick in my neck watching the ball up in the air all the time,” he confessed. “It (Muggleton’s throw) was like an Exocet missile being thrown in from 60 yards. The ball was screaming for pain.

“They throw it into the box and try and get a flick-on and the irony of that today is that we did it and scored from it!

“I thought a draw was a fair result.

"You can see what Martin (Allen) has already brought to that team.

"Eastleigh are a very difficult side to play against. They’re well organised, well planned and you’ve got to be at your best defensively against them.”

While Allen agreed that it “wasn’t pretty to watch”, he was pleased with Eastleigh’s efforts and felt they should have come away with all three points.

“I’ve got to say there’s an element of disappointment.

“They haven’t been anywhere near our goal second half, there was no threat, and then one long throw into the box and they’ve scored,” he lamented.

“The game was always going to be a test of people’s character, of people’s guts, to come and play on one of these (3G) pitches and it was an effective game plan we had. But we knew we had to defend set-plays better than that.

“We competed from front to back, but we made a couple of little errors that cost us dear.

“We still had chances to win it though. (Sub) James Constable had a free header from six yards with about ten minutes to go. If that had gone in, the game would have been won.”

While the outcome could have been better for Eastleigh, it was another game they didn’t lose as they bid to make a late charge for the play-offs.

“We’re getting better I think,” said Allen. “That’s four games unbeaten for us.

“We really do need to win on Tuesday now.”

A big crowd is expected at the Silverlake on Tuesday (7.45pm) when Eastleigh host Macclesfield Town in a FREE ENTRY game.

The 12th-placed Spitfires are two places and two points behind the Silkmen, who lost 2-1 at home to lowly Guiseley.

Eastleigh: Graham Stack, Hakeem Odoffin, Sam Muggleton, Sam Togwell, Adam Dugdale, Bondz N’Gala, Ross Stearn, Ben Strevens (Scott Wilson, 78), Mikael Mandron (Ayo Obileye, 87), Darius Henderson (James Constable, 60), Tyler Garratt. Subs: (not used) Michael Green, Jai Reason.

Referee: Samuel Allison.

Attendance: 2,179.