GOALS from Richard Graham and Ross Bottomley helped Eastleigh to a 2-0 win at Weston-super-Mare and back into the Blue Square Bet South top ten.

The Spitfires did all the damage before the break and got their reward for an excellent first half display at Weston’s Woodspring Stadium.

Boss Ian Baird, whose men jumped two places to ninth, was forced to alter his plans when Jamie Slabber was ruled out due to flu.

With Brett Williams and ex-Saint Jamie White then his only available strikers, Baird reverted to a 4-3-3.

Williams filled the central striker role with wide-men Tony Taggart and Richard Graham providing support.

Peter Adeniyi, Anthony Riviere and Danny Smith made up the midfield three in front of a back four of left-back Luke Byles, right-back Bottomley and centre-halves Tom Jordan and Chris Holland.

Gareth Barfoot retained his place in goal from Eastleigh’s last game a fortnight earlier, the 4-0 FA Trophy replay success at Sutton United.

With White, who rejoined Eastleigh last week, not yet fully fit after a serious knee injury in May, he had to settle for a place on the bench.

Eastleigh’s two wingers combined to give the visitors a 30th minute lead.

Taggart was the provider with the cross and Graham applied the finish, hooking the ball into the net.

Taggart also set up Eastleigh’s second on the stroke of half-time.

The home side may have thought they had escaped when they cleared a corner in the 44th minute.

But the ball only went as far as Taggart who swung it back into the box and Bottomley headed in.

Baird described his side’s first-half display as “outstanding.”

But if he had one complaint, it was that they weren’t further ahead at the break.

“Brett Williams had a couple of chances, Tony Taggart had a chance, Richard Graham had one and so did Tom Jordan,” he said.

“We could have been four or five up and that wouldn’t have been unjust given the amount of chances we had.

“But their keeper has made some good saves.”

Weston failed to take advantage of the fact they were somehow still in the contest, though, as a professional second half display from Eastleigh sealed their win.

“The first 45 minutes was very pleasing,” Baird said. “We were outstanding.

“In the second half we were professional, closed it out and kept them to no chances.”

Baird, who was able to introduce White as an 80th minute sub and also pull Taggart out of the firing line after he felt his hamstring, added: “Every game at the moment we feel is a must win game.

“We are all under pressure having not played in the league for a while.”