RONNIE Moore made two big central defensive calls ahead of his first game as Eastleigh boss - and came up trumps both times in a 2-0 Vanarama National League win over Solihull Moors.

With Joe Partington still injured, he handed Ryan Cresswell the captain’s armband and the 28-year-old repaid his former Rotherham gaffer with a cheeky near-post finish that put the Spitfires ahead on 58 minutes.

Moore’s other key decision was to gamble on the fitness of former Coventry City defender Reda Johnson, who had just three weeks training behind him after ten months sidelined with a hamstring problem.

That too paid dividends as the imposing 6ft 3in Benin international made it 2-0 seven minutes later to get Eastleigh’s new era off to a highly satisfactory start.

For much of the first half, it looked as if Moore would definitely not be the merrier of the two managers come the final whistle.

Solihull, fresh up as VNL North champions, had the better first-half chances with Ryan Beswick’s 16th-minute free-kick well saved by Ross Flitney and tricky customer Omari Sterling-James hitting the post shortly before the break.

Precisely what Moore said his players in the half-time dressing room is between him and them, but the ex-Tranmere, Hartlepool and Rotherham boss is no shrinking violet and it was a totally transformed Eastleigh that emerged for the second half.

“It was a poor first half, very dour,” Moore admitted afterwards. “We kept the ball better than we did last week, but we didn’t move it quickly enough.

“In the second half we had the better chances and we deserved to win. It was pleasing that both goals came from set plays.”

Moore felt his side weren’t crossing the ball well enough initially, but there was a marked improvement after the break as widemen Jake Howells and Adam Dawson supplied a constant stream of deliveries into the box.

Indeed, it was Dawson’s corner from the left that set up Cresswell for an unusual finish.

“The ball came in quite low and I flicked it in with the outside of my foot. It’s the first time I’ve ever done one of them!” smiled the Rotherham-born centre-back. “I normally score with headers."

Cresswell had just two words to describe his central defensive partner and fellow scorer Johnson: “Man mountain.”

Eastleigh have some pretty imposing figures in their squad these days, but the 28-year-old, born in Marseille, looked head and shoulders bigger than the rest as he rose to head in Michael Green’s long throw.

It’s been a long road to recovery for Johnson who was modest about scoring afterwards: “I’m going to be honest, I’m more happy just to play 90 minutes," he smiled.

“I’ve been out for ten months. It was a very difficult time for me.

“I didn’t have a pre-season and I’ve played 90 minutes today.

“I wasn’t supposed to play 90, I was going to play less. But maybe because I scored, it gave me some energy!”

Johnson was due to join Eastleigh's more locally-based players for a light training session today to see if he is fit to play at Bromley tomorrow (Monday, 3pm).

The Spitfires are up to 13th in the table on eight points, while Bromley sit 17th with seven following yesterday's morale-boosting 4-1 win at Guiseley.

Eastleigh: Ross Flitney, Connor Essam, Michael Green, Andy Drury (Jai Reason, 82), Ryan Cresswell, Reda Johnson, Jake Howells, Jason Taylor, Mikael Mandron, Ryan Bird (James Constable,76), Adam Dawson. Subs (not used): Ryan Huddard, Adam Dugdale, Scott Wilson.

Solihull Moors: Nathan Vaughan, Liam Daly, Jordan Gough (Stefan Moore, 70), Jack Byrne, Andy Brown, Ryan Beswick, Darryl Knights (Connor Franklin, 70), Bobby Moseley (Shepherd Murombedzi, 46), Jean-Yves Koue Niate, Jordan Fagbola, Omari Sterling-James. Subs (not used): Akwasi Asante, Harry White.

Referee: Neil Hair

Attendance: 1,632.