NEW loan signing Bradley Hudson-Odoi showed enough promise in 25 minutes on Tuesday night to convince Eastleigh boss Richard Hill that he will be a real asset to the squad.

With the Spitfires 2-0 down at home to Maidenhead United in the National League, manager Hill boldly threw on three substitutes – including the Sutton United wideman - with 68 minutes gone.

And Hudson-Odoi’s willingness to cross the ball immediately impressed his new boss as goals by Ayo Obileye (penalty) and Ben Williamson brought elated Eastleigh back from the brink for a 2-2 National League draw.

“You want subs to make a difference and all three contributed in the short time they had,” said Hill.

“Bradley came on and gave us something different on the right.

“He’s a wide player who want to cross the ball, which is unusual. In the modern game it’s full-backs who want to cross.

"Full-backs are the wingers these days, it’s ingrained in them in academy football. So to have Bradley on the right-hand side wanting to cross is a big help.”

Such was Eastleigh's transformation in those final few minutes against Maidenhead, that Hill was lost for words.

“For 83 minutes we couldn’t get going and for the last 12 we were so good – I can’t even explain it," he said.

“If we'd got the ball in the box again in the last couple of minutes of added time, who knows what could have happened.

“You’ve got to take heart from that. If anyone thinks there’s a split in our dressing room, just look at the way the lads celebrated (pictured)             and draw your own conclusion.”

If ever there was a chance for Eastleigh to build on Tuesday's high spirits, it’s Saturday's trip to FC Halifax Town.

The 17th-placed Shaymen are on a woeful run of form, without a win in their last nine league games and still reeling from Tuesday’s 4-0 hammering at Hartlepool where they conceded twice in the first seven minutes.

It leaves Billy Heath's men just one point better off than Eastleigh who remain 18th.

“It’s a tough place to go, always has been," said Hill.

“I’d imagine Halifax are feeling they can do better – and I KNOW we can do better."

Eastleigh head north without a league win in November, having conceded twice in all four games this month.

The need to keep changing the defensive personnel hasn't helped.

“If you look at the back four we ended October with, it’s very different now,” said Hill. “We’re without Ryan Cresswell and Reda Johnson (both hamstring injuries) who, if fit, are probably the best defenders in the league.

"It’s tough to replace Michael Green (ankle) too – and I’ve been one of his biggest critics.

“Greener’s in a walking boot for three weeks, which is the route we’ve been told to go down by specialists. We’re hopeful it will help.”

Goalkeeper Graham Stack misses the Halifax trip with an injured shoulder and Sam Wood (adductor) and Sam Togwell (hip) need more recovery time.

The arrival of loan midfielder Simon Heslop has allowed Danny Hollands to rest a few niggles, while experienced wideman Gary McSheffrey has been granted time off for personal reasons.