Eastleigh were held 1-1 by Cambridge City at the Sparshatts Stadium last night, but it felt as good as a win to manager Paul Doswell considering the patched-up side he put out.

With Chris Collins unavailable and Andy Forbes ruled out by a bruised groin, the Spitfires suffered a further blow when Ryan Ashford was unable to start because of a tight hamstring.

It meant playing 20-year-old Sam Stannard in defence alongside youngsters Ian Oliver and Jack Smith.

And the average age plummeted further in the second half when 16-year-old Zach Glasspool and 17-year-old Adam Roberts were brought on for a taste of Conference South football.

"It's just like winning. We were fantastic!" grinned Doswell. "Cambridge were as good as any side we've seen up here and to throw on a 16 and a 17-year-old against one of the best teams in the league is so pleasing.

"We were indebted to our keeper Wayne Shaw who was magnificent again. Cambridge didn't have many golden chances, it was mainly shots from outside the box, but we scrapped and fought for everything and did really well. Robbie Marshall was immense at the back."

Eastleigh got off to a perfect start, racing into a second-minute lead.

New boy Richard Hodgson slung in a cross and, though the dreadlocked Stuart Douglas failed to connect as he flung himself at it, it went in anyway, leaving Hodgson to celebrate his first goal for the club.

Dave Town limped off at half-time with a dead leg and strike partner Douglas followed soon afterwards with the recurrence of knee trouble.

Cambridge equalised midway through the second half, but it couldn't deflate the enthusiastic Doswell, who was also delighted with a 364 crowd.

The result will be welcomed by Havant, who are four points clear of Cambridge in the fourth and final play-off place.

l Eastleigh's Russell Cotes Cup final at home to Gosport Borough has been rescheduled for next Thursday (April 20, 7.45).