SPITFIRES boss Kelvin Davis felt his side deserved to win against Gateshead on Tuesday despite requiring a stoppage-time penalty to rescue a point.

Captain Jake Taylor converted a 92nd-minute spot-kick to earn Eastleigh a 1-1 draw at home to Gateshead in the Vanarama National League.

Tyrell Sellars-Fleming had looked like firing the fourth-placed visitors to a third successive win when he struck with just four minutes remaining.

The Hull loanee flicked home Luke Hannant’s ball into the box but former Wales international Taylor kept his nerve from the spot to move Eastleigh to within four points of the play-offs.

“I think we deserved to win. I think we deserved all three points," Davis said. "It was a really good performance. We handled their threat and we knew they liked to have the ball.

“On occasions, we got our press spot on and on occasions we didn’t and they came through us, but when we did that, I don’t think Joe had to make a save.

“They scored from a corner which was cleared to the edge of the box and then their player has a volley which finds someone in the middle of the box for a flick. 

“It would have been disappointing had we not come away with anything. We have shown really good character tonight. We didn’t show any negative behaviours after going 1-0 down.

“I’m really pleased with how the team stuck to our plan and we converted the penalty. I’m pleased to add a point to our tally but there is an underlying feeling that it could have been more.”

Eastleigh goalkeeper McDonnell saved well at his near post to deny Jovan Malcolm, who had scored three times in his last four games, in the first half.

At the other end, Gateshead goalkeeper Tiernan Brooks, making his first start having been sidelined with injury since the end of October, denied Tyrese Shade.

Jesurun Uchegbulam and Noa Boutin missed big chances for the Spitfires but retired goalkeeper Davis does not want them to beat themselves up.

"We had a big chance with Jes in the first half and he took his miss particularly hard. When it's a big chance like that and you don't score as a striker, I can understand it," he explained.

"We spoke about it at half-time. We are positive people. We want to be positive with the players and improve. We accept that players miss chances.

"Noa missed one in the second half as well in similar circumstances. It can happen. The togetherness of the group is something you want as a manager.

"You want them to emulate your own characteristics, your own traits to be scrappy and never give up right until the last minute. Today proved it's a great way to be."