Hastings manager Steve Lovell insists his side are safe from relegation despite another home defeat.

United lost 1-0 at home to promotion-chasing Eastleigh after a 22nd minute header by Steve Richardson.

Defeat leaves Hastings 14 points above the drop-zone which Lovell believes is too much of a gap to be worried about.

He said: "Without wanting to pre-empt anything, I don't think we are going to go down now. Relegation is not something I've thought about too much this season because I knew what we were capable of.

"Eastleigh are a good side and they did a good job to get a 1-0 win away from home. It shows how far we have come because the last time we played them they hammered us 6-2."