SACKED boss Martin Allen believes he should have been given more time to build a side at Eastleigh.

The 51-year-old oversaw just two wins – one in the league and one in the FA Cup – in a dismal three-month stint at the Silverlake.

He was brought in by the Spitfires to lift them out of the Vanarama National League into the Football League as he had done at Barnet in 2014/15.

Instead fans were fearing that 'Mad Dog', who made 13 new signings after succeeding Chris Todd and Ronnie Moore as the club’s third manager of a turbulent season, would lead them out of non-League’s top tier ... straight back down to the Conference South.

Writing in his Mail Online column, Allen said: “Getting sacked, as I did at Eastleigh last month, is always upsetting and disappointing.

“My life was non-stop telephone calls with agents, the club secretary, finance director, chairman, assistant manager, senior players, physio and local media - then all of a sudden with one conversation at Newbury Services it all just ceases.

“It feels weird, but it is something I'm getting used to now. The results were not good enough, as the results were not good enough for the previous manager or the previous manager before him.

“Eastleigh is a good club with lots of good people and a very patient, loyal fan-base. It's just a shame I did not get more time to build my own team to get it ready to challenge next season. But hey-ho, the chairman makes the decisions and I have left on good terms.”

Shortly after arriving at Eastleigh, Allen revealed that he had had a heart scare last summer. Thankfully those fears have now subsided.

“The only good result I've had in the last month was a visit to my local hospital in Reading where the cardiologist gave my heart the all-clear,” he added.

“It's been seven months of wondering and worrying, but thankfully I am now able to do some exercise without the fear of keeling over.

“All my other results cost me my job, but sometimes other issues are far more important. Every dog has his day and it seems that I have a few more left in me.”

Righting the wrongs of a catastrophic 2016/17 campaign is proving no easy task for Richard Hill, who has picked up just one from a possible nine points since returning to Eastleigh as director of football/caretaker manager.

On Saturday the 15th-placed Spitfires – perched just eight points above the drop zone and still looking for their first home victory since October 25 - host eighth-placed Barrow.

The play-off chasing Bluebirds make the long haul south in good heart having pulled off a 2-1 comeback win against Tranmere Rovers in midweek.

Former Barrow striker Andy Cook plunged them into arrears before a debut goal from Inih Effiong – signed from Biggleswade Town - and a stunning Jordan Williams strike sealed the points.

Eastleigh were thumped 4-0 and had skipper Ryan Cresswell sent off on a dismal afternoon at Barrow in late October.