MATT Tubbs scored his first Eastleigh goal to ensure Chris Todd’s side’s dominant display was rewarded with three priceless points against a spirited Chester this afternoon.

The Spitfires would - and should - have won by more, but for a mix of their own profligacy and some wonderful Chester goalkeeping and backs-to-the wall defending, writes Paul McNamara.

The game’s decisive moment arrived on 70 minutes when Tubbs chipped in a delicious ‘Panenka’ penalty after Yemi Odubade had been hauled down by visiting defender Ryan Astles.

The 1-0 win - the Spitfires' second victory inside five days following Tuesday’s victory over Woking - leaves them just two points off fifth spot in the Vanarama National League.

Chester were quickly on the back foot, despite striker Ross Hannah having an early ‘goal’ wiped out for offside.

The Spitfires came agonisingly close to forging a 13th-minute breakthrough. Luke Coulson darted onto Johnny Hunt’s weak clearance to unleash a 25-yard effort that thumped against the bar.

Odubade was first to the rebound but, with the goal at his mercy, the Eastleigh striker could only skew wide of the target.

Chester's Tony Thompson was called into action for the first time just short of the half-hour mark.

Lee Cook’s right-wing corner sparked a melee in the visitors’ box. Jai Reason's strike was blocked before the ball landed for Will Evans to hit a shot that 'keeper Thompson turned behind at full stretch.

Thompson was soon repelling Josh Payne’s hard-hit, wickedly moving 18-yard drive, with the increasingly busy former Morecambe stopper then punching away an Odubade volley after Reason’s delightful chip had released the striker.

Payne and Evans were both denied by more last-ditch Chester defending following another teasing Cook corner, with Thompson completing his side’s escape by saving point-blank from Odubade’s diving header.

Normal service was resumed three minutes after the break.

Coulson powered forward to square for Reason. The attacker’s initial effort struck Ben Heneghan, but Reason swiftly recycled possession left to Cook. His low drive beat Thompson, but not Hunt, who heroically scrambled back to clear from the line.

Left-back Hunt repeated the trick two minutes later, this time rising to clear Evans’ towering header from Cook’s corner.

It was down to Tubbs’ strength that the hosts finally forged ahead.

The diminutive attacker seemed sure to lose out to the imposing Heneghan when Dan Harding lofted a delivery into the box.

But the on-loan Portsmouth striker did enough to force the ball on for Odubade, who was impeded by Astles as he pulled the trigger.

Referee David Rock didn’t hesitate in pointing to the spot and Tubbs, sumptuously, did the rest.

Eastleigh piled forward in search of a killer second, but to no avail.

Tubbs' cushioned volley was kept out by Thompson, diving to his left, and Reason had a drive deflected wide.

Then came the visitors’ late rally.

Heneghan headed over from Ryan Higgins’ delivery, while sub Tom Shaw could only fire wastefully off-target after Evans’ clearance had ricocheted off Hannah and into the advancing midfielder’s path.

Another Chester sub, Craig Hobson, thought he should have had a penalty for Partington’s challenge under Higgins’ high cross but, ultimately, Tubbs' prowess from 12 yards won the day for his eighth-placed team.