EASTLEIGH’S National League showdown with Andy Hessenthaler’s Dover Athletic has a fighting chance of going ahead this afternoon (3pm).

After heavy overnight rain, the Spitfires brought a planned pitch inspection forward an hour to 10am at the Silverlake Stadium.

With the rain easing, the official decided to allow Eastleigh ground staff to continue clearing the water from problematic areas with a view to the matchday referee reassessing the playing surface at around 11am.

The pitch passed that initial inspection by the matchday official who will inspect it again at 12.30pm.

“He is satisfied the pitch has improved significantly since the first inspection and the grounds team will continue to work on the problem areas,” the club confirmed.

Eastleigh are calling for volunteers to help remove the covers at around 1.15pm.