DAVID Hughes paid tribute to Andy Forbes after Eastleigh's disappointing campaign ended on a high.

Forbes ended the regular Conference South season as the second leading marksman in the division with 21 goals.

A last-day double in the 4-1 romp at Yeading took him above Salisbury's Matt Tubbs and Michael Charles of Farnborough.

Havant's Rocky Baptiste was the Golden Boot winner for the second season running with 28 goals.

Newport's Craig Hughes also scored the same amount as Forbes.

"Andy's the only one who has been playing all season in a struggling side," said Spitfires assistant boss Hughes.

"You do wonder how many he would have scored had he been playing for a team at the top end creating more chances.

"Andy's goals record has always been pretty phenomenal, and he's carried that on this season."

After Yeading had taken an early lead, Forbes levelled when he applied the finishing touch to a Carl Wilson-Dennis lob over the keeper.

Forbes struck again to put Eastleigh into an interval lead after his first shot had been parried following a Wilson-Dennis through ball.

Centre halves Steve West and Chris Collins completed Eastleigh's best away win of the season.

The victory stretched manager Jason Dodd's league record to just six losses in 25 games since he replaced Paul Doswell as boss back in December.

Prior to Dodd taking charge, Eastleigh had lost 10 out of 17 matches.

"It's been a disappointing and frustrating season," said Hughes after the Spitfires ended in 15th place, five points above the drop zone.

"But if you get involved in football you have to appreciate that you're not alwys going to finish where you want to finish.

"Where we have finished is about right.

"Quite often in football there is that second season' syndrome.

"Clubs can come up and carry on the momentum, like Salisbury have done and we have done in the past.

"In the second season teams have worked out how to play them and life is a bit more difficult.

"But in a way we should have a sense of achievement because we have got ourselves out of trouble.

"The lads have shown character because at one stage it looked as if we were really in trouble.

"At least we are still in this division and can spend the summer trying to put things right for next season."

Forbes' good day on Saturday was completed when he won Dodd's manager's player of the season trophy.

Goalkeeper James Pullen won both the supporters' player of the season and players' player of the season awards.

Hughes was runner-up in all three categories and quipped: "That's five years I've been here and I haven't won any of those trophies.

"I guess I must try harder next season!"

As for the play-offs, Hughes said: "My heart says Salisbury or Havant. Salisbury have had an absolutely outstanding season.

"But if I was a betting man I'd keep my money in my pocket. It's incredibly tight to call.

"Salisbury have not had a great run of late and the team that goes up generally has a bit of momentum."

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