Bromley caretaker manager Neil Smith emphasised that the opening period of his side’s 2-0 defeat to Eastleigh on Tuesday evening was uncharacteristic of the side he has inherited at Hayes Lane.

Since taking over in February from Mark Goldberg, Smith had steered the side through a six game unbeaten run and into mid-table safety, but admitted he was disappointed with the first half showing against the Spitfires.

“We’re very frustrated because we’ve been doing really well. I was just hoping the boys didn’t get too carried away with themselves and think we’ve cracked anything because we haven’t,” he said.

“We’re a team that I’ve instilled hard work into and we have a method of playing, and we just didn’t get to those levels in the first half.

“It was always going to be an uphill battle in the second half, but that first 45 minutes wasn’t us.”

Striker Bradley Goldberg was rewarded for his two goals in the 2-0 weekend win over Guiseley with a start in Hampshire – but a slow start on a difficult pitch gave the Ravens a tough task from two goals down in the opening period.

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It was the hosts who started the contest the stronger – and they took the lead midway through the first half.

Yemi Odubade closed down keeper Alan Julian and the stopper’s kick bizarrely rebounded off the midfielder and the ball trickled over the line to put Chris Todd’s ahead – a goal that the manager admitted was tough to take.

The lead was doubled when some slack defending was punished as Jai Reason had time and space in the sandy penalty area to put his side in a strong position at the break.

Smith said: “The first goal was a bizarre one, and we’ve been so solid at the back.

“That’s why it’s such a shock that something like that has given them the lead because we’ve had clean sheets recently, too. The goal they scored was an absolute freak of a goal.

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“That knocked the stuffing out of us, and the second was another gift without them having to earn it. It’s just disappointing because they’ve done so well for both myself and the club.”

The interim boss has taken to his role in the dugout at Hayes Lane like a duck to water with some impressive results, but he wouldn’t be drawn on his longer term future.

“It’s gone well up until tonight, it’s been difficult and I’m trying to do all I can to make sure everything is good for the boys,” he added.

“I’m giving all I’ve got back to them, I’m thoroughly enjoying it and the lads have responded really well.

“The team have made my role easier with the way they’ve played and I’ve great support from the board and the directors and chairman. But my remit is to take one game at a time and until anything happens I’ll keep doing the job.

“I’ve just said to them in the dressing room that Barrow on Saturday will be another tough game and we’ve got to show a reaction.”