Eastleigh recorded just their second away win of the Vanarama Conference season with a smash and grab 2-0 victory over Hampshire-rivals Aldershot Town at the Electrical Services Stadium today.

The opening goal on the brink of half-time saw Craig McAllister prod the ball across the line from yards out amongst a melee on the line.

Both side’s players and the crowd alike had a pause of puzzlement to whether it had gone over the line or not before the referee adjudged it to be a goal.

The Eastleigh second, amidst a flurry of efforts by the Shots in the second half, saw Stuart Fleetwood slam home from the penalty spot with aplomb after Jaydon Gibbs had handled in the box.

Aldershot never gave up and had a couple of penalty shout turned down themselves, but Eastleigh’s defending was excellent as they extend their unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions and are looking like real promotion contenders.

The opening ten minutes saw neither side stamp any authority on the match. Though, in that time, Fleetwood did register the first shot of the afternoon for both sides – his effort deflecting out for a corner from the edge of the box.

Shots, who’d had a busy week with an epic FA Cup win over Portsmouth on Wednesday, were building a good foundation of possession as the match ticked over 20 minutes. Goal hero from the 1-0 first round victory, Mark Molesley, fired well over from range as they looked to test keeper Ross Flitney.

The home side followed that pressure up with three successive corners. The first of which found midfielder Kieron Forbes just outside the area – his powerful first time shot was bravely intercepted by Stanley on the line, and it went out for another corner.

The next one was dealt with well by Flitney, with the Spitfires’ goalkeeper punching away. The other was also ushered away by the organised Eastleigh defence.

The visitors remained calm under the pressure from their Hampshire rivals and created a few opportunities of their own. Michael Green fizzed a long range effort just past the Aldershot post and McAllister and James Constable linked well, with the latter blasting a shot at goal, but it was blocked.

As the game approached the half hour, Andy Scott’s side won a free-kick 25-yards out after Naby Diallo was fouled. Sam Hatton bent it round the wall to the right, but Flitney was alert and impressively parried away.

It quickly broke to the other end and Jaydon Gibbs miss-timed an interception. However, the ball was moving too quickly for McAllister to get the ball under his spell.

Moments later a dangerous McAllister cross evaded everyone in the box, including the onrushing Eastleigh midfield and it bounced out harmlessly.

Eastleigh were beginning to press and impose themselves on the game. On 37 minutes a last ditch tackle by former Salisbury City defender Glenn Wilson stopped Constable from going one-on-one.

Some great build-up play then forced Shots stopper Phil Smith to come away from his goal in an attempt to smother the ball.

But Eastleigh kept the ball away from him and after one blocked attempt, Jai Reason curled another one narrowly wide.

On the brink of interval, the Spitfires’ pressure told in curious circumstances. If there ever was a call for goal-line technology at this level this was it. Fleetwood made a jinking run into the Aldershot box from the right side – as he entered the box he squared.

McAllister was alert and saw the opportunity to prod the ball goal-wards, inches away from the outstretched Smith. The ball was adjudged by the assistant referee to have crossed the line as Smith attempted to push it away from the goal, 1-0.

As the goal was given, there were unanimous confused looks across the Electrical Services Stadium. The 162 travelling fans broke into delayed celebration, but there was little doubt in the officials mind that it had crossed the line.

After the break Aldershot went on the hunt for a leveller. Leaping highest from a corner, Dan Holman’s header snuck narrowly wide of the post and some good work, saw Gibbs’s cross deflected narrowly wide of Flitney’s goal.

It wasn’t all Shots, though. Reason collected a Green ball over the top, his square ball is knocked out for corner. Smith then held the resulting kick.

McAllister, proving difficult for the home defence to deal with, then laid off to Reason on the edge. His curled low shot going narrowly wide. Moments later Eastleigh were on the attack again, it ending in Constable slamming into the side-netting.

The home crowd rallied behind their team, demanding an equaliser. But it was Eastleigh who were closest to doubling their lead. A Reason free-kick deep on the right pinged around the box and eventually came off the post.

It’s cleared for a corner and, after three consecutive corners, stopper Smith is able to collect in and end the Spitfires assault.

Immediately from that Diallo finds himself one-on-one with Flitney, but the goalkeeper rushed out to ensure that Eastleigh’s lead is maintained.

Just past the hour mark, Richard Hill’s side got their second. Much to the dismay of the home fans, a Green cross was deemed to have hit Gibbs’s hand as he rushed to cover the box.

Referee Adam Hopkins was in no doubt and pointed to the spot. Fleetwood made no mistake from 12-yards, dispatching a powerful kick to the right of Smith.

Aldershot became increasingly frustrated and had calls waved away for a tackle in the box by Paul Reid on Holman.

Substitute Joe N’Guessan almost scored with his first touch, but his tame shot was well held by Flitney.

Aldershot weren’t giving up and were pushing all the way to get back into it. They were thwarted time and time again.

Eastleigh protected their lead, though. N’Guessan had an effort fly just wide from the edge of the box and Forbes tried his luck again from just outside box, but Flitney is again alert and saves.

Attendance: 1737, including 162 Eastleigh fans.

Eastleigh: Ross Flitney, Dan Spence, Michael Green, Craig Stanley, James Constable (Jamie Collins 90), Jai Reason, Craig McAllister (Jack Midson 73), Stuart Fleetwood (Chris Todd 90), Ben Strevens, Will Evans, Paul Reid (c). Subs not used: Yemi Odubade, Ben Wright.

Aldershot: Phil Smith, Joe Oastler, Glenn Wilson (c), Sam Hatton (Joe N’Guessan 75), Mark Molesley, Brett Williams, Jaydon Gibbs, Kieron Forbes, Naby Diallo, Manny Oyeleke (Andre McCollin 66), Dan Holman. Subs not used: Dan Thomas, Dan Fitchett, Tom Derry.