Four-goal Robbie Matthews, pictured, prepared for his trial at First Division Derby by helping to extend Eastleigh's lead over Gosport to five points.

Gosport's shock 5-0 defeat at Andover and Eastleigh's 6-0 win over Christchurch took Paul Doswell's side a step closer to the Wessex League title.

And Doswell revealed that he and his players were kept informed of Gosport's progress at Andover - thanks to Mrs Rusher.

He said: "I asked Vince Rusher's wife to text me with score updates before the match so we knew it was 3-0 in the dressing room at half time!

"It's been a good weekend for us, rounded off nicely by Saints' win. Realistically, we know that, if Gosport lose another two games, we will only have ourselves to blame if we lose the title."

Matthews opened the scoring on 15 minutes with a brilliant volley after a poor clearance from namesake Colin, the Eastleigh 'keeper.

Then he scored the first of his two penalties after Martin Beck had been upended, having beaten three defenders.

Matthews made it a hat-trick from the spot after just 25 minutes and Lee Bright ensured a 4-0 half time lead by stabbing the ball in from close range.

Hod carrier Matthews' fourth, a brilliant chip, came at the end of a slick Eastleigh build-up and midfielder David Asker chipped home the sixth.

Doswell added: "We played very well; now we've got to win our games in hand on Gosport."