EASTLEIGH are ready for back-to-back away matches on astroturf - starting at Maidstone United tonight.

The Spitfires drew Harlow United away in the FA Trophy first round a week on Saturday and will also be playing on a 3G surface when they travel to Sutton United in January.

Manager Ronnie Moore was not a fan of the sand-based artificial pitches at Luton Town and QPR during his playing career in the Eighties and had his first 3G experience at Fleming Park Leisure Centre yesterday.

He said: “It’s strange teams are allowed to play on it but I don’t want to harp on about it because three of our next five away games are on it.

“Hopefully we’ll move the ball well on it but we’ve got to make sure we move it quickly otherwise it can bobble.

“We’ve had a couple of hours on the pitch at Fleming Park. I’d have liked more but this being a Tuesday game limits how much time we can practise on it.

“We just need to be more clinical in front of goal whatever surface we’re on.”

Moore analysed Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at home to Chester with his players yesterday as they aim to bounce back against a Maidstone team that suffered a fifth successive league and cup defeat on Saturday, 2-0 at Lincoln City, and which has not scored in their last four matches.

“It’s just nice to have a game, it doesn’t matter who it’s against.,” he said. “People say Maidstone haven’t won a for ages but then Chester hadn’t.

“These teams must be rubbing their hands when they play us! We’ve got to learn how to manage games and not make ourselves vulnerable to the counter attack when we’re behind.”

Reda Johnson will undergo a late fitness test.