MARTIN Allen’s first home league game as Eastleigh boss should have ended on a high note.

Instead the Spitfires endured stoppage-time misery as Boreham Wood hit back for a last-gasp 2-2 leveller that leaves the Spitfires with it all to do to make up lost ground in the National League play-off chase.

Eastleigh led inside eight minutes with Christmas loan signing Tyler Garrett right in the thick of it.

The Doncaster Rovers youngster, replacing Michael Green at left-back, had a cross flicked on by Ben Strevens straight to the feet of James Constable, who slotted it past keeper Grant Smith for his third goal in two games.

A minute later Eastleigh’s other debut-making full-back Gavin Hoyte delivered, but Smith was behind Mikael Mandron’s point-blank header.

Having tamed an Anthony Jeffrey cross at the second attempt, Eastleigh's third debutant – former England schoolboy international goalkeeper Mark Childs –solidly claimed Angelo Balanta’s glancing header from a free-kick.

Eastleigh, though, carried the greater threat with Strevens and Jai Reason trying their luck before Mandron had an effort disallowed after skipper Reda Johnson had nicked the ball from Smith. Johnson was booked for arguing his case but that was to be his last contribution as he exited injured after 34 minutes.

The Spitfires reshuffled with Hoyte moving across to partner former Barnet teammate Bondz N’Gala at centre-back, while sub David Pipe took on right-back duties.

Busy byline work by Reason ended with Constable heading a decent opportunity wide while, at the other end, Childs smartly turned away Balanta’s goal-bound strike before getting his body behind Jeffrey’s determined attempt.

Stoppage time brought a terrific last-ditch intervention by N’Gala to deny Jeffrey at one end. Then, at the other, Luke Coulson so nearly squeezed a right-foot strike inside the near post.

Instead of building on their slender interval lead, Eastleigh contrived to fritter it away on 51 minutes, undone by a cross from the left headed back across goal by Balanta for Morgan Ferrier to tuck away.

With Eastleigh eager to atone and Boreham Wood inspired, an enthralling end-to-end contest unfolded with Mandron hooking one over for the Spitfires before young Childs again excelled, spreading himself to deny dangerman Jeffrey.

Constable then rode two challenges before playing in Mandron, but the young Frenchman’s shot couldn’t match the quality build-up.

Mandron, though, has proved deadly from 12 yards this season and he was coolness personified yet again as Eastleigh reclaimed the lead with ten minutes to go.

Referee Adrian Quelch pointed to the spot after Mandron had gone down over Matt Paine’s outstretched leg and the Spitfires No19 lashed the ball into the top corner.

Sub Ross Stearn should have put the cherry on the top of Eastleigh’s Christmas cake, but criminally fired an 88th-minute sitter over.

And how he lived to regret it.

Deep into stoppage time the visitors had one last foray forward and, amid a mad goalmouth scramble, sub Danny Woodards jubilantly stabbed home Wood's equaliser.

It was cruel luck on Eastleigh –and more so young keeper Childs who was deservedly crowned man-of-the-match.

Eastleigh: Mark Childs, Gavin Hoyte, Tyler Garrett, Ben Strevens, Bondz N’Gala, Reda Johnson (David Pipe, 34), Jai Reason (Ross Stearn, 75), Sam Togwell, Mikael Mandron, James Constable, Luke Coulson (Scott Wilson, 57). Subs: (not used) Michael Green, Adam Dugdale.

Referee: Adrian Quelch.

Attendance: 2,213