EASTLEIGH boss Ian Baird paid tribute to "everybody at the club" after being named Blue Square South manager of the month for October, writes ADRIAN KAJUMBA.

In his first month in charge at the Silverlake Stadium, after his departure from fellow Blue Square South side Havant & Waterlooville, Baird, pictured below, led the Spitfires to a draw and two wins from his three league games during the month.

Eastleigh kicked off Baird's reign with a 2-2 draw at Bishop's Stortford and followed it up with impressive 3-0 wins at home to high-flying Lewes and away at Weston-super-Mare.

He said: "It is an accolade for the team and an accolade for everybody at the club. We are all in it together - it's a reflection of how everybody else is doing.

"The team is doing well. Long may it continue."

Meanwhile, Eastleigh will be confident in their FA Trophy opener at home to Weston-super-Mare later this month - the Spitfires have already done a league double over Tony Ricketts' Seagulls this season.

A 3-2 win at the Silverlake Stadium in September was followed by a 3-0 success in the return fixture at Woodspring Stadium last month.

After yesterday's draw at Soho Square for the third qualifying round when clubs from the Blue Square South and North enter the competition, Baird said: "It could have been better, but it could also have been a lot worse - we could have drawn a Conference side.

"We've played them twice and got two results from them, so all in all it's not too bad. It is a home draw and we'll look to progress."

Elsewhere in the draw, Havant & Waterlooville will play an all Blue Square South tie at Bognor Regis Town, while Basingstoke host high-fliers Lewes.

Southern League 1 South & West side Gosport also face Blue Square South opposition after being drawn out first against Braintree Town. All ties will be held on Saturday November 24, kicking off at 3pm.

FA TROPHY -Third qualifying round Ties to be played on November 24 Gateshead v Boston United, Solihull Moors v Cambridge City, Fleetwood Town/Retford United v v Chasetown/Radcliffe Borough, Guiseley AFC v Worcester City, Corby Town/Evesham United v Redditch United, Rushall Olympic/Clitheroe v Ossett Town, Bamber Bridge/Marine v Ilkeston Town, Hinckley United v Alfreton Town, Colwyn Bay v Sheffield, Vauxhall Motors v Hyde United, Blyth Spartans v Gainsborough Trinity, Barrow v Southport, Burscough v Leigh RMI, Hucknall Town v Witton Albion, Nuneaton Borough v Workington, Buxton v AFC Telford United, Stalybridge Celtic v Tamworth, Harrogate Town v Kettering Town, Bromley v Chippenham Town, Bishop's Stortford v Hampton & Richmond Borough, Hemel Hempstead Town v Team Bath, AFC Wimbledon v AFC Hornchurch/ Northwood, Abingdon United/Maidstone United v Canvey Island, Basingstoke Town v Lewes, Gosport Borough v Braintree Town, Dorchester Town v Worthing/Walton & Hersham, Fisher Athletic v Leamington/ Margate, Bognor Regis Town v Havant & Waterlooville, Bashley v Leatherhead/ Mangotsfield United, Gloucester City/ Hillingdon Borough v Uxbridge, Hayes & Yeading United v Witham Town, Carshalton Athletic v Hitchin Town, Eastleigh v Weston-super Mare,Windsor & Eton v Newport County, Bath City v Thurrock, Tonbridge Angels v Burnham, Wealdstone v Welling United, Kings Lynn/Billericay Town v Eastbourne Borough, Maidenhead United v St Albans City, Dover Athletic v Sutton United.