THE Vanarama National League title fight is now a two-horse race between Cheltenham Town and Forest Green Rovers.

But all that bothers Eastleigh boss Chris Todd ahead of league leaders Cheltenham's visit to the Silverlake tomorrow (Tuesday, 7.45pm) is making sure his own players are “at the races” against a team on the crest of a 22-match unbeaten run.

Having galloped up among the frontrunners in the first half of Todd’s five-month reign, the Spitfires have lost ground since mid-December, picking up just four points from the last 24.

But such was the initial progress they made under their 34-year-old rookie boss that they are just six points off play-off pace with games in hand.

While the 2-1 defeat at Forest Green ten days ago was their fourth loss on the bounce, Eastleigh looked more like their old selves that day, giving Todd great encouragement for the rest of the season.

“I believe we turned the corner that day at Forest Green. We were unlucky not to get a result and it’s a good sign of things to come,” he said.

“Cheltenham are top of the league for a reason and we’re not expected to win tomorrow, we know that, but it’s a game of football and if we’re at the races we’ll give ourselves a good chance.

“Cheltenham and Forest Green are joint title favourites in my opinion, but I’m not interested in them. We have to concentrate on getting ourselves back on track.

“Like I said when I got this job, I’m a positive person and I still believe that come the end of the season we will be there or thereabouts.”

Cheltenham manager Gary Johnson is not taking Eastleigh lightly, suspecting it's only a matter of time before the real Spitfires are ready to stand up and be counted.

“On paper they are one of the strongest teams in the division and, if we go there expecting their good players not to turn up, we’ll get a rude awakening,” he warned.

“No team as good as Eastleigh will have too many games when they're underperforming, we just have to make sure their good day is not against us.

“We have to go with the confidence of our 22-game unbeaten run and also with the disappointment of our 0-0 draw against Gateshead in our minds.”

With pedigree duo Andy Drury and Dan Harding back after injury, Todd has a fully-fit squad for the first time in months. But one notable absentee is experienced midfielder Ben Strevens who launches into a seven-match ban after being red-carded for spitting at Forest Green.

“It’s disappointing for Ben not to be able to play and disappointing for me as manager not to be able to pick him,” said Todd.

"Ben knows he was in the wrong and it’s been dealt with in-house by the club. What’s happened has happened, we have to deal with it.

“I’ll always stand by my player. Ben’s committed and he's a top professional.”

Cheltenham are without ex-Eastleigh midfielder Harry Pell who has damaged ankle ligaments.