Torquay United 2 Eastleigh 3

Eastleigh made it three wins out of three thanks to two outstanding goals from AFC Bournemouth loanee Sam Matthews at Plainmoor.

The 19 year-old midfielder gave the Spitfires an 18th-minute lead with a wonderful finish shortly after Ayo Obileye had a goal disallowed.

Matthews completed a wonderful move with a curler just inside the far post.

Graham Stack kept out a free kick to keep Eastleigh’s lead intact at half-time.

Torquay’s Luke Young levelled direct from an inswinging corner five minutes into the second half.

But Obileye restored the visitors’ advantage when he fired into the roof of the net.

It looked as though the home side would nick a point when, shortly after Stack required treatment, striker Shaun Harrad equalised.

But in the 65th minute Matthews scored another wonderful goal. He latched onto a loose ball and volleyed it powerfully into the bottom corner.

Substitute Scott Wilson was denied in a one-on-one before the 51 travelling Spitfires fans in the 1,528 crowd celebrated a second away win in four days.

Manager Richard Hill said: “Sam deserves all the plaudits. He’s a young lad who has a lot to learn but he has great technique and they were two wonderful finishes.

“It was a tough game in tough conditions. The players gave everything they could, they threw their bodies in front of everything.

“They worked hard and looked like they enjoyed themselves.

“It was great character. Things have turned since we changed the shape of the team and brought in a couple of additions to the squad.

“It seems to have perked everyone up.

“We look totally unrecognisable from the team that played Dover and York City.”

Hill believes Eastleigh dispelled any relegation fears against a Torquay side deep in the mire.

“We had a lot of stick from their fans which was harsh but they’re disappointed they got beat,” he said. “You like to think we’re safe now.”

Eastleigh: Stack, Hoyte, Reid, Obileye, Green, Odoffin (Stearn 77), Burge Togwell, Matthews (Wilson 77), Tubbs, Constable. Subs not used: Dugdale, McAllister, Garratt.

Torquay: Moore (GK), Rowe-Turner, Lathrope (Chaney 79), Young, Harrad (Keating 67), Sparkes, Verma, Williams (Reid 67), McGinty, Anderson, Hodgkiss.