EASTLEIGH’S chances of making the National League play-offs next season have been enhanced.

Clubs have voted in favour of introducing six-team play-offs for the top division and the South and North.

Eighteen of the 24 National League clubs backed the move after the proposal was tabled at the league’s annual general meeting at Celtic Manor. Four clubs rejected it and two didn’t vote.

It means teams finishing between second and seventh in all three divisions will be involved in the play-offs.

Games will be one-legged, with teams in fourth and fifth hosting the seventh and sixth-placed clubs in a qualifying round.

The winners of those matches will book a semi-final berth, travelling to either the second or third-placed teams who progress straight to the last four at their home ground.

The National League final will be at Wembley, while the North and South finals will be at club grounds.

Speaking when the plans were initially put forward, the league's chief executive Michael Tattersall said: "The format involves the same amount of matches as now. With six clubs competing, it will increase the interest levels."

The 2017/18 fixtures for all three divisions will be officially released at 1pm on Wednesday, July 5 and the season will kick-off on Saturday, August 5.