TOM’S GOT THE ANSWER AS GLOVERS MARCH ON

YEOVIL Town leapfrogged Eastleigh in the National League table following a hard-fought win at Huish Park, with the away side still with only one victory on the road this season.

A wonder strike from Tom Knowles and an excellent finish from Adi Yussuf sunk the Spirites, who equalised with Harry Pritchard’s fourth goal of the season from close range.

It was a relatively even first half, with the visitors creating half chances from Pritchard and Ben House from set plays and the home side going close from a corner where Yussuf headed over the bar.

It took a moment of brilliance to break the deadlock three minutes before the break when Knowles hammered the ball into the top corner all of 30 yards out.

It set the Glovers on their way, who impressed with their forward play in the second half – but Eastleigh always looked dangerous when going forward, with former Yeovil midfielder Tom Whelan causing all sorts of problems in the middle of the park.

Defender Andrew Boyce headed Tom Whelan’s freekick wide and House was also off target but a double substitution from manager Ben Strevens resulted in Eastleigh upping the intensity and Ryan Hill’s low cross found House in some space with Pritchard able to latch on and edge the ball over the line for the equaliser – and it was well deserved.

Just eight minutes later, though, Yeovil’s substitute played a part in the winner, as Grant Smith’s long goal kick found Joe Quigley in the box. His flick on to Yussuf allowed the striker to hammer the ball home for what was a deserved victory.

The away side kept up the pressure, though, and had it not been for Morgan Williams’ crucial 94th minute block in the box, the points may well have been shared.

Yeovil manager Darren Sarll admitted the performance wasn’t pretty on the eye, but it was full of effort. He said: “I was pleased we recovered after the goal. I thought we would with Wilkinson back, with his experience.

“It was only ever going to be a wonderful strike to put us ahead and I thought we had a lot of creativity in the first half and the front three were a real threat.

“The substitutes that came on were game changers for us.

“I thought Quigley was outstanding when he came on and Williams made one of the most telling contributions of the game with that block.

“I am also really pleased for Adi who looked fitter and sharper and as he gets even fitter, we will see even more from him.

“He really worked hard for us and endeared himself to the supporters today.” STAR MAN: Tom Knowles (Yeovil) ATT: 2,494 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Sunny Gill