ANDY Whing insists Solihull Moors are ‘progressing’ despite suffering a frustrating 1-0 home defeat against Eastleigh.
Former Moors forward Tyrese Shade came back to haunt his former club with the game’s only goal on 10 minutes at Damson Park.
The result leaves Solihull sixth in the National League play-off places and while frustrated with the result, Moors head coach Whing wants his team to move on quickly from the defeat.
Whing said: “We should have won the game comfortably with the patterns, ball retention, possession and the chances.
“I’m frustrated with the result, I thought the performance was very good, it killed us them scoring early because all they did was sit with a low block.
“We lacked a little bit of quality in the final third, we were miles the better team, unfortunately they’ve nicked a goal on the break in the first half.
“When we got them out of shape, we didn’t go through them quick enough, I can’t fault the effort, the endeavour and application was outstanding.
“They spoilt the game in terms of fouls, I thought the referee was poor, we were a little bit naive in falling for that.
“We just have to move on quickly, we lost games of football at the start of the season where you’re questioning how you fit this group of players into a formation and style of play.
“The last six weeks have been excellent, we’re progressing, if we keep playing like that, we’ll be alright.”
Eastleigh broke the deadlock on 10 minutes as Shade latched onto a pass in-behind the Moors defence and took the ball past goalkeeper Killian Barrett before forcing a volley into the net despite the best efforts of James Clarke on the line.
Moors spurned a glorious chance to equalise minutes later as Jack Stevens curled a shot wide of the target from Jamey Osborne’s through ball.
The visitors had a chance to double their lead as Barrett denied Shade a second goal with his foot.
Solihull went close again just before half time as Stevens headed Osborne’s free-kick from the left straight at Eastleigh goalkeeper Joe McDonnell.
Moors came within millimetres of drawing level after the break as debutant Fletcher Holman saw his low effort cleared off the line following a corner.
Eastleigh wasted a gilt-edged chance to double their lead at the other end soon after as Shade squared the ball to Chris Maguire who shot wide when one-on-one with Barrett.
The home side searched for a late equaliser as McDonnell denied Holman as the Moors loanee looked to pounce on a poor backpass.
Solihull are next in action against Braintree Town on Saturday, January 18 with kick-off at 3pm at Cressing Road.
