EASTLEIGH continued their winning start to pre-season with a 2-0 victory at Gosport Borough last night

Paul McCallum’s second-half double did the trick for Andy Hessenthalter’s men who were given a tough workout on a sweltering evening at Privett Park.

The former Leyton Orient frontman went on as a substitute and broke the deadlock ten minutes after the break with a power-packed header from a corner.

He was then cleverly set up by young Ollie Dennett to seal victory with two minutes to go. It was McCallum's third goal in two pre-season matches.

Chris Zebroski had come desperately close to joining McCallum on the scoresheet with a diving header that cannoned back off the woodwork.

Two days earlier Gosport – under the new management of former Eastleigh striker Craig McAllister - had lost 8-0 to Eastleigh’s new National League rivals Havant & Waterlooville.

Theo Lewis (3), Josh Huggins (2), trialist Aaron Cosgrave, new signing Alfie Pavey and Alfie Rutherford were the Hawks scorers.

Next Saturday (July 14, 3pm) Eastleigh continue their pre-season build-up away to AFC Totton.

Louis Langdown’s Stags are due to play their opening friendly at Brockenhurst on Tuesday (July 10, 7.45pm).

Winchester City won their opening friendly 2-0 at Cove thanks to new arrivals Tyrell Mitford (penalty) and Reece Rusher.

Striker Mitford was formerly with QPR, Team Solent and Gosport Borough, while Rusher was a Sydenhams Premier runner-up last season with Andover Town.

Two other new faces - Connor Cocklin, another Andover player last season, and Jake Rawkins from Bemerton Heath Harlequins - were away.

Winchester had been due to host Sutton United this Tuesday (July 10), but that match has been shifted to Wednesday, July 25 (7.45pm) to allow City more time to prepare their pitch for the new season.

"Our thanks to Sutton for their understanding and cooperation," said Winchester director of football Dave Malone.

*Wimborne Town’s promotion from the Evo-Stik South West has finally been rubber-stamped.

The Cuthbury club will feature in the newly-formed Southern League South next season after Shaw Lane’s withdrawal from the Northern League Premier Division had a knock-on effect around the country.

Appeals from Banbury United, Hednesford Town and Fleet Town over the league allocation were rejected at an FA hearing, meaning Magpies were given the green light to make the step up.

*Sydenhams Premier outfit Bemerton have appointed long-serving player Jack Slade as assistant manager to Rae Hughes for the new season. 

"Jack is Bemerton through and through and will be a fantastic addition to the management team," said a club statement.