MCCALLUM DENIES HESS IN BATTLE OF FORM SIDES

A LATE goal from top scorer Paul McCallum extended Eastleigh's impressive run and prevented Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler from claiming a shock victory on his first return to the Silverlake Stadium.

McCallum headed in a Mark Yeates free-kick four minutes from time to deny lowly Dover what would have been their third success in eight days – after the Kent strugglers had won just two of their first 20 league games.

In truth, Hessenthaler’s men deserved to have inflicted only a second league loss on the Spitfires in 14 games as, yet again, Eastleigh failed to transform their stunning away record into home victories.

They have now only won four out of their last 19 home league games, compared to winning their last five away.

Boss Ben Strevens said: “I can’t put my finger on why we can't play at home like we do away. We weren’t at our best today but they say the sign of a good side is when you can pick up points without playing well.”

Eastleigh were handed a great start on a heavy pitch which survived three prematch inspections when Ben Williamson fired them ahead after only 89 seconds – keeper Mitch Walker parrying a Yeates free-kick and Joey Jones first to react to set up the striker.

Dover, though, refused to buckle and it was no surprise when Inih Effiong levelled on 21 minutes. There was an element of good fortune about it, as Stuart Lewis’ shot was going wide when it fell nicely to the big striker on the edge of the six-yard box. Former Eastleigh favourite Jai Reason put Dover ahead nine minutes into the second half, following a nicely-worked free kick between Bobby-Joe Taylor and Mitch Brundle. Thereafter, the visitors were the side who looked most likely to score again with left-winger Anthony Jeffery’s pace a constant problem – both Andrew Boyce and Reda Johnson were booked for fouls on him. McCallum gave Eastleigh, now unbeaten in seven league games, a fourth successive Silverlake draw when he rose highest to nod in Yeates’late free-kick for his 12th goal of the season. Hessenthaler said: “I know what McCallum is like in the air and Yeates’ delivery. We talked about that beforehand, so it was unfortunate that was what undone us at the end. “I’m disappointed but I couldn’t be more prouder of the players. The performance was first class. “Eastleigh are no mugs – they’ve drawn with Salford and Orient here recently. “We’ve gone from part time to full-time and the transition has taken a while, but now we’re looking a lot more organised.’

STAR MAN: Bedsente Gomis (Dover) ATT: 1,430 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Paul Howard 6/10