A BLANK Saturday saw Eastleigh fall three points adrift of the Vanarama National League play-off spots.

After pushing themselves right back into contention with a timely trio of home wins, Chris Todd’s men were left kicking their heels due to FC Halifax’s FA Trophy involvement.

While the Spitfires were inactive, the three teams locked with them on 62 points all got positive results.

Tranmere drew 1-1 at home with title-chasing Forest Green, while both Dover and Braintree were victorious.

Dover triumphed by an early Stefan Payne strike at Guiseley, but result of the day belonged to surprise package Braintree who stunned league leaders Cheltenham 1-0 with a Michael Cheek winner in Essex. It was The Iron’s 20th clean sheet of the campaign.

Forest Green's hopes of going top were dashed in Birkenhead as they had a man sent-off in a feisty encounter at Tranmere.

The visitors led through Darren Carter, but Jay Harris pulled Gary Brabin's men level three minutes into the second half before Carter received a second yellow on the hour.

Wrexham edged above Eastleigh into seventh on goal difference with a convincing 3-0 win over ten-man Chester in front of 6,459 at the Racecourse Ground.

Lincoln City`s play-off hopes took a blow, beaten 2-1 at home by back-markers Kidderminster, who still need a miracle to avoid the drop.

Second-bottom Welling United – Eastleigh’s Good Friday visitors (3pm) - also look doomed after losing 1-0 to Gateshead, who are now level with Todd’s Spitfires and Wrexham on 62 points.