Halifax Town 0-0 Eastleigh 

EASTLEIGH extended their unbeaten run to ten games but failed to get the win they needed against Halifax Town to climb into the National League’s play-off zone.

The Spitfires were fortunate to leave The Shay with a point after failing to muster a shot on target until sub Lee Cook stung the hands of Sam Johnson in injury time.

With two games remaining, Eastleigh are level on points with fifth-placed Braintree but outside the play-offs on goal difference.

The draw was not enough for FA Trophy finalists Halifax to climb out of the bottom four but they were unfortunate not to score their first goal in four matches and were given a standing ovation after dominating the first 45 minutes.

Eastleigh’s well-drilled back four was needed to keep the former Football League club at bay time and time again.

Winger Josh Macdonald gave Eastleigh an early indication of their threat when he beat left-back Michael Green and striker Jordan Burrow headed straight at Ross Flitney.

Will Evans was fortunate not to be booked for a foul on the fleet-footed Shaquille McDonald.

And midfielder Ben Strevens was not penalised for what looked a certain foul on the same player just outside the area, following a swift Halifax counter-attack.

All Eastleigh managed in the first half was an early shot wide from Luke Coulson and a half-chance for Matt Tubbs, who did well to win a corner from a tight angle in a congested penalty area.

Halifax began the second half in much the same vein.

Richard Peniket got past Joe Partington and his cross just evaded the outstretched foot of the unmarked McDonald from six yards out.

Turley, an immense presence at the back throughout, headed wide following a corner and Reason headed over from Partington’s cross.

But the best chance of the night fell to Peniket who, following a great cross from the right, tried to pass inside to McDonald instead of shooting with the goal at his mercy.

As the ball got stuck in the goalmouth, which had got a soaking from the sprinklers at half-time, Peniket held his hands to his head in disbelief at his profligacy.

Flitney was soon needed to be at his best.

James Bolton’s header following a cross from the left was tipped over by the Eastleigh number one, who produced another outstanding block from point-blank range from the resulting corner.

Flitney also saved from sub Connor Hughes before Tubbs shot wide at the near post in injury time.

Eastleigh: Flitney, Partington, Evans, Turley, Green; Reason, Drury, Strevens, Coulson (Cook 75); Odubade (Midson 60),Tubbs, Subs: Reid, Poke, Harding.
Booked: Green, Reason.
Attendance: 1337 (including 39 from Eastleigh)