EASTLEIGH boss Chris Todd had an unlikely ally in questioning Josh Payne’s straight red card at Blundell Park on Saturday.

Even his opposite number, Grimsby Town’s Paul Hurst, believes referee Michael Salisbury might have been harsh in sending off the Spitfires midfielder after 48 minutes of the 0-0 Vanarama National League draw.

Payne will miss three of Eastleigh’s remaining five fixtures in a nailbiting play-off run-in – starting with tomorrow's (Tuesday, 7.45pm) free-entry clash against Barrow at the Silverlake – as the result of his supposedly X-rated tackle on Grimsby’s Richard Tait.

But Mariners’ boss Hurst admitted afterwards: “I’m not sure about it. It was a very strong tackle, but personally I love that.

“Maybe the angle he went in at – he was running straight into it, Richard (Tait) was coming across – played a part in the decision, but I’ll have to look at it again.

“It wasn’t a massive surprise to me because of how referees make decisions now but, at the same time, I’m not 100 per cent convinced it was (a red card).”

Eastleigh have decided against appealing the dismissal having gauged some expert opinion.

“We've had a few referees we know look at it and the feedback we got was that it wouldn’t be overturned, so we’re going to have to bite the bullet,” said Todd.

“It’s frustrating to lose a good player for three games.

“My opinion of the tackle was that it was firm but fair. It wasn’t aggressive, just firm.

“I do understand it’s difficult for referees with the rules of the game being as they are. Five years ago that tackle would have been perfectly fine and the game would have continued.

“The issue was that Josh left the ground and, although he’s taken the ball, he took the player a little bit afterwards, although the player got up and was fine.”

On the plus side, fit-again wideman Luke Coulson returns to the squad tomorrow as Eastleigh bid to shrink the gap on fifth-placed Tranmere Rovers to just one point with a game in hand.

“A win would be amazing and we’re more than capable,” said Todd. “It’s going to be another tough game, but we’re looking forward to it in front of a big crowd.”

The last time the Spitfires let fans in for nothing, 2,884 cheered them on to a storming 3-2 victory over Forest Green Rovers in October.

Tonight they are hoping to better the 3,000 mark.

“The crowd’s got a massive part to play,” said Todd.

“It’s not going to be easy and we’re going to need every bit of support we can get.

“I want the fans to get behind us, be loud and be proud of the club.

“We’re definitely stronger when we’re all in it together.”