Eastleigh were 'much improved, but no win' in their neighbourly fixture with Trojans, who climbed back up the table to fourth, just three points behind the leaders.

It was only a late try from the Stoneham Lane side that clinched the victory as Eastleigh battled heroically in defence, especially through Phil Campling and Connor Gately, and they were rewarded when skipper Wayne Hayward scored in the first half.

As it proved, it was not enough to stave off a sixth loss of the season and the gap between themselves and fourth-bottom Sandown & Shanklin increased to four points.