PAUL McCallum scored a superb hat trick as Eastleigh beat Ebbsfleet United 5-2 which moved them up to eighth in the National League on Tuesday night.

Darren McQueen had given the visitors an early lead when he stroked the ball into the corner after seven minutes.

But McCallum soon brought Eastleigh level and then he pounced just before half time to put the hosts in front.

Scott Quigley made it 3-1 with a wonderful curled finish and 20 minutes later he set up McCallum to complete his hat trick.

McQueen netted his second goal with a minute remaining of normal time but there was still time for Chris Maguire to add the finishing touches with a penalty.

Richard Hill had named an unchanged side from Saturday's 3-2 win over Halifax Town with in-form striker Paul McCallum again leading the line for the Spitfires.

The visitors started brighter though as Ben Chapman's cutback found McQueen who swivelled and struck left-footed into the bottom right corner to give the visitors the lead.

But the Spitfires were not behind for long as on 17 minutes, Chris Maguire's free kick was headed home brilliantly by McCallum. 

Eastleigh took the lead with five minutes remaining in the first half when McCallum steered the ball over the line after the ball had ricocheted off the post.

The hosts almost added a third before the break when Scott Quigley held the ball up well before rolling his defender and firing the ball over the bar.

Eastleigh made it 3-1 just after the interval as Maguire's clever through ball found Quigley who struck the ball into the top right corner.

McQueen in particular remained a threat for the visitors and only an excellent save by McDonnell prevented the Ebbsfleet player from pulling a goal back.

McCallum, who scored twice during Saturday's win over Halifax Town, added his third of the night when he was picked out by Quigley before planting his header past Mark Cousins.

McQueen scored his second late-on when he calmly slotted the ball past McDonnell, but the Spitfires were not finished yet as Maguire scored from the spot in added time.

Frustrations boiled over for the visitors seconds from the end when substitute Billy Clifford was sent off for kicking out.