RICHARD Hill paid tribute to Eastleigh’s “unbelievable” fans after they had sung themselves hoarse for 90 minutes – and beyond – during the Spitfires’ play-off defeat at Grimsby.

“Our fans were fantastic – and there’s got to be a case for noise pollution,” said the manager, who had personally seen to it that his disappointed players came back out of the tunnel to salute the 197-strong band of travelling fans after the game.

Hill, dismissed from the dugout towards the end of March’s 2-1 league defeat at Blundell Park, got another earful of abuse from Grimsby fans in the stand behind him yesterday but said that the sound of the Spitfires supporters merrily singing, clapping and drumming in a corner of the Osmond Stand had kept his spirits up.

Hill said: “The noise of our fans was constant throughout the game.

“I had some Grimsby fans behind me questioning my parentage and remarking on my physical appearance but, even over all that, all I could hear was our fans.

“To be able to hear them while I’m getting all sorts of abuse keeps you a bit steady and a bit focused.

“And it’s not just for this match – our fans have been tremendous all season – but today they excelled themselves.”