FOR the first chunk of this season it was Eastleigh’s home form that carried them into the Vanarama Conference play-off picture.

Now it is their strength on the road that is making sure they stay there.

Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Chester, secured by substitute Dan Walker’s first touch of the ball, made it 13 points banked from the last available 15 on Spitfires’ travels, placing them top of the divisional away form chart.

And while they could do without another long slog to FC Halifax Town tomorrow ahead of Saturday’s (12.45pm) televised home game against Macclesfield Town, manager Richard Hill can at least head north safe in the knowledge that his side are no soft touch away from home.

Chester manager Steve Burr hinted that Saturday’s win was something of a smash ‘n’ grab raid for the Spitfires, admitting: “When they got the goal it was against the run of play, but after that we found it very hard to break them down.”

But Eastleigh deserve huge credit for another perfectly executed away performance against an in-form Blues side who had hoisted themselves to tenth spot on the back of four straight league wins.

Walker has yet to start a game in a Spitfires shirt following his January loan arrival from Braintree Town with Hill determined to ease him in gradually after limited playing time at the Essex club.

And like a dog let off the leash, he took just 60 seconds to give Chester the runaround at the Deva Stadium after replacing Harry Pell in the 64th minute.

Jai Reason delivered an inswinging cross from the left and the former Luton, Cambridge and Hereford wideman stole inside Chester left-back Gareth Roberts before steering the ball past 'keeper Jon Worsnop at the back post.

It was his first goal for 32 league games since he netted for Hereford against Braintree on March 8, 2014.

By Eastleigh player/assistant boss Craig McAllister's admission, it was a "scrappy" contest always likely to be decided by one goal.

“I’m delighted Dan came on and scored with his first touch,” he said.

“It was a crucial time to make the breakthrough.

“We now progress to the next few games and hopefully we can show the sort of resolve in those matches that we have shown here.”

The result sealed a season’s double for Eastleigh over Chester.

It keeps them sixth, four points outside the play-off zone with two games in hand over fifth-placed Forest Green.

Hill’s men are on level points with tomorrow’s hosts Halifax who needed a 90th-minute Jamie Jackson header to edge past Braintree 1-0 at The Shay.

Eastleigh: Ross Flitney, Dan Spence, Joe Partington, Dean Beckwith, Michael Green, Jack Midson (Brian Howard, 82), Harry Pell (Dan Walker, 64), Craig Stanley, Ben Strevens, James Constable (Deon Burton, 74), Jai Reason.

Subs (not used): Craig McAllister, Will Evans.

Referee: Richard Martin.

Attendance: 2,294.