IT was so bitterly cold at the Silverlake Stadium yesterday that even Eastleigh’s electronic scoreboard gave up the will to live for the visit of Leyton Orient.

It hardly mattered though as, for the second home game running, there were no goals to put up in lights during 90 fruitless minutes of football.

Not so long ago it was raining goals at both ends, but the Spitfires’ inability to keep a clean sheet prompted manager Andy Hessenthaler to shore things up with a central defensive trio of Ayo Obileye, Reda Johnson and Andrew Boyce.

The change of formation has had the desired effect on the ‘goals against’ column, but, frustratingly for the fans, things have dried up at the other end too, leaving entertainment in short supply.

Clean sheets though are the base for any successful side and, prior to the goalless draw against Halifax at the end of February, Eastleigh hadn’t kept one for 26 National League games.

So, for now, the management team are content to keep things tight in the hope of building a foundation for more exciting performances to come.

“We spoke for weeks and weeks about how long we hadn’t kept a clean sheet for, even when we were winning games” said assistant boss Ben Strevens.

“We’re not happy (with another 0-0), but we’re not disappointed either.

"Conditions were horrible for both sides, so we’ll take the point.”

Eastleigh have now shared the points 16 times this season and some of those stalemates could and should have been wins.

"On this occasion, though, the outcome was just about right – albeit that Orient hit the woodwork with a Jobi McAnuff free-kick and forced Spitfires stopper Graham Stack into a crucial save when he thwarted Dan Holman one-on-one.

“It was a great save by Stacky,” said Strevens. “He’s good in those situations where he comes and smothers and makes himself big.”

Mark Yeates twice shot wide for Eastleigh, Ayo Obileye had an effort deflected away and sub Sam Matthews narrowly cleared the bar from 20 yards. Late on, Orient sub Macauley Bonne headed just wide.

Next up for Eastleigh, 14th,  is a trip to Tranmere Rovers on Saturday (live on BT Sport, 12.15pm kick-off).

Eastleigh: Graham Stack, Gavin Hoyte, Sam Wood, Sam Togwell, Reda Johnson, Ayo Obileye, Andrew Boyce, Mark Yeates, Cav Miley (Sam Matthews, 68), Ben Williamson, Paul McCallum (Chris Zebroski, 78). Subs (not used): Ryan Cresswell, Ryan Broom, Danny Hollands.

Referee: Joseph Johnson.

Attendance: 2,030.