EASTLEIGH have slumped to 18th in the Vanarama National League after losing a third straight game without scoring a goal.

Andy Hessenthaler’s injury-hit side did little wrong for the bulk of a promising first half at Maidenhead United tonight – but still went in 2-0 down after being floored by a swift one-two from Josh Kelly.

Despite a lengthy list of absentees, including top scorer Paul McCallum, Eastleigh began with plenty of attacking intent as full-backs Josh Hare and Michael Green bombed forward at every opportunity.

It nearly paid dividends on ten minutes when Green ventured down the left and his low, driven effort struck the near post.

Mark Yeates might have scored on 23 minutes but blazed over and, two minutes later, Maidenhead spurned a chance of their own as Jordan Archer failed to connect with Nana Owusu’s dangerous cross.

Hare’s tricky feet took him menacingly into the box on 41 minutes but ex-Spitfires defender Ayo Obileye did well to block.

After so much promise, Eastleigh were hit by a calamitous double blow just before the break – Kelly scoring twice in the space of 60 seconds.

The promising youngster, who banged in a hatful of goals on loan at Walton Casuals last season, struck first with a sublime solo effort on 43 minutes, dribbling past two defenders and rounding goalkeeper Graham Stack.

Before Eastleigh could drag themselves off the canvas, they were knocked down again when Kelly’s blocked cross fortuitously broke back for him to smash home.

The Spitfires own teenage striker Ollie Dennett, called into the starting line-up in McCallum’s absence, was denied by a goalline clearance in first-half stoppage time, but the visitors disappointed after the break.

It was a low-key 45 minutes of football – the biggest talking point arriving when the referee briefly halted proceedings because of a drone flying over the pitch!

Yeates had another effort blocked by the giant figure of Obileye before, in stoppage time, his curled free-kick was turned around by keeper Carl Pentney.

An unused sub for the Spitfires was Jack Payne, signed on loan from Ebbsfleet United until October 6. The 26-year-old midfielder includes Gillingham and Blackpool among his former clubs.

*Sam Roberts netted a powerful header to salvage Winchester City a 1-1 draw against Gosport Borough in the Southern League Challenge Cup, but Borough won the penalty shootout 4-2.

*Brockenhurst convincingly beat Christchurch 4-0 in the Sydenhams Wessex League at Hurn Bridge.

James Thomson was the hero of the hour, netting a first-half hat-trick and teeing up the fourth for Mo Nyang.

The match was preceded by a minute's silence for highly respected football administrator John Ward who has sadly passed away.

John was chairman of the Hampshire Football Association Council from 1997 to 2014 and was the HFA representative to the Football Association from 1998 to 2017. 

*Bemerton Heath Harlequins have dumped FA Vase holders Thatcham Town out of the FA Cup.

The Sydenhams Premier Division side led 3-0 at half-time in the Western Way replay through Jake Burgess, Kelvin Robinson and Charlie Young.

They held on for a 3-2 win and will now travel to Taunton Town on Saturday.