From an Eastleigh perspective the Vanarama Conference table makes for superb reading at the moment.

Eastleigh haven’t tasted defeat since early October, and even then they were unlucky not to come away with anything from table-toppers Barnet.

From that point on they’ve been on a run of seven games unbeaten.

Indeed, the league table tells no lies. The Silverlake Stadium side are just four points off second-placed Grimsby with three games in hand.

They have one of the best home records in any of the top five divisions this season and, in fact, the only down point of this historic campaign is the results away from home.

The Spitfires had only won once in the Conference all season on their travels, and that wasn’t since the opening day against Nuneaton Town in August.

But that all changed on Saturday as Craig McAllister and Stuart Fleetwood netted either side of half-time to take all three points from Hampshire rivals Aldershot Town.

Andy Scott’s side had come off the back of three wins in a row and kept a clean sheet in all of them, including a 1-0 defeat of League 2 Portsmouth in the first round of the FA Cup.

But Eastleigh ended that run with a defensively gritty display – blocking out countless chances to see the game out late on.

“It was a very solid performance,” said Hill. “It was exactly what I was looking for.

“You have to perform in that way away from home.

“I don’t want to take anything away from our players but I thought it was a good time to play Aldershot.

“They’ve had a tough game against Pompey on Wednesday. They had to play tough against Portsmouth and play with a lot of energy.

“So you’ve got to say some of them will have tired bodies.”

While some Eastleigh fans might get carried away with ideas of a second successive promotion, Hill is treating their current run of form in a typically clinical manner.

“Yes, it is pleasing to get results,” he said. “But it’s my job to put a team together and make us hard to beat.

“I’m here to win games and not lose them, and it’s the players’ job to carry that out on match-day.

“I don’t want to play anything down here, but by the same token it’s our job to get these kind of results.”

It was a caldron-like atmosphere that greeted Eastleigh in north-east Hampshire – the Shots fans were typically vociferous. Neither side stamped their authority on the match in the opening 30 minutes.

A first-time shot by Kieron Forbes from a corner was blocked out by former Shot Craig Stanley, who received a smattering of boos early-on from the home crowd, and free-kick by Sam Hatton was tipped round the post by Spitfires stopper Ross Flitney.

At the other end left back Michael Green fizzed an effort past the right hand post from 30-yards out and another chance saw Jai Reason curl one round the same post as Aldershot keeper Phil Smith left his line to smother the ball.

The visitors started to impose themselves as the break approached and the pressure paid dividends when bullish attacker Fleetwood burst through the Shots defence on the right of the box.

His powerful square ball met a melee of players in the box.

Through the hustle and bustle, McAllister managed to get a toe to it and scoop it goal-wards, but had it crossed the line?

Referee Adam Hopkins and his assistant were decisive and gave McAllister his goal, which was met by delayed celebrations by the 162 travelling fans.

Aldershot clearly felt hard-done-by and after the break went hunting for the leveller.

Dan Holman, who extended his loan stay from Colchester United this week, had the best chance, but headed narrowly wide.

Eastleigh soaked up the pressure and struck back on the break.

On 63 minutes Green darted down the left towards the byline.

The left-back’s cross was met by the arm of back-tracking defender Jaydon Gibbs. The referee, for the second time in the afternoon, had a big decision to make and he was sure about this one too and pointed to the spot.

The resulting kick was gloriously struck by Fleetwood and Eastleigh were two up.

Undoubtedly fatigue must have been setting in for the home side after an epic week of FA Cup exploits.

They didn’t give up, though, and threw everything at Eastleigh in a final assault.

But some warrior-like defending saw the Spitfires defend their lead and come away with the spoils.