The stands at Eastleigh were buzzing with talk of Peter Crouch's departure.

But on the pitch there was a glimpse of the future and a hint of the past that gave some hope.

Academy striker David McGoldrick netted twice in a superb all-round performance.

Then there was Francis Benali, the subject of much speculation over a potentially remarkable comeback two years after retiring from football.

His is a story of back to the future.

And then there was possibly the most under-stated, yet heartening, sight of the night: Marian Pahars back near to full flow.

As it was, Saints got a decent runout against an Eastleigh team that tried to match them football-wise but eventually fell a little short.

In the first half the friendly was competitive, Pahars lighting it up by twice picking the ball up and running from deep, turning defenders one way then the other.

Once he was denied by the keeper, the second time the bar came to Eastleigh's rescue.

But when Saints did get on the scoresheet, the Latvian had a hand in it.

His link-up play was top notch for the 45 minutes he played and he played in Neil McCann on the left wing who stood a cross up to the far post for McGoldrick to power in and head home.

Two minutes after the break Nigel Quashie doubled the lead with a swerving driven effort from outside the area.

Ten minutes later it was 3-0 when McGoldrick coolly finished after being played through.

Eastleigh's best chance came in the first half when Paul Smith saved from James Taylor, who had been put under pressure by the backtracking Benali, proving his fitness by making up fully six yards to get in a challenge as Taylor pulled the trigger.

Man of the match, Eastleigh's central midfielder Danny Smith, also threatened in the second half with an effort that flashed just over the bar.

But with six minutes left Saints rounded off the scoring when substitute Simon Gillett let fly with an incredible effort from outside the area that bent into the top corner.

Eastleigh: Scott Tarr (Wayne Shaw,46; Lee Webber, 80), Nick Burton, Christer Warren, Rob Marshall (Mark Blake, 80), Chris Collins (David Hughes, 46), Martin Thomas (Sam Wyeth, 65), Danny Smith, Steve Forbes (Danny Woods, 65), James Taylor (James Stokoe, 46), Neville Roach (James Taylor, 65; Barry Mason, 80); Ryan Ashford (Matthew Le Tissier, 82).

Saints: Paul Smith, Paul Telfer, Thomasz Hajto, Claus Lundekvam, Francis Benali, Yoann Folly, Dennis Wise (Simon Gillett 64), Nigel Quashie (Lloyd James 64), Neil McCann (Tim Sparv 45), David McGoldrick, Marian Pahars (Valery Mezague 45).

Attendance: 2,589

Eastleigh view: See Page 36 of tonight's Daily Echo

Saints win at Weymouth: See Page 37 of tonight's Daily Echo

Crouch fans views: See Page 36 of tonight's Daily Echo