A Scott Quigley brace wasn’t enough to earn Eastleigh all three points as Oxford City fought back from a two goal deficit to get a point.

Straight from the off Richard Hill’s side oozed confidence as they sliced through Oxford’s press with some quick passing exchanges and kept the visiting goalkeeper warm throughout the contest.

However, the first chance of the wet and windy evening came to Josh Parker of Oxford City who flicked a heel up to make connection from a Lewis Coyle cross, which sailed over the bar.

Minutes later after some slick passing from the Spitfires they got their first chance of the night.

After a poor clearance fell at the feet of Chris Maguire, he unleashed a fierce volley which cannoned off of the defender for a corner, the Eastleigh striker pleaded for a penalty for handball, but nothing was given.

Within the first exchanges of the match, the boys in blue put relentless pressure on the visiting team as they had four corners within 10 minutes.

The best chance of scoring for the home side from these set pieces came via Paul McCallum as he was inches away from flicking the ball past Chris Haigh in the opponents goal.

Eastleigh were really turning the screw as Scott Quigley paced down the right-hand side, his bounce pass with Enzio Boldewijn allowed the striker to fizz in a low cross.

Commence the chaos, Haigh did superbly to get a firm hand to the ball, McCallum tried his luck with a cheeky back heel, which was smothered by the goalkeeper.

The ball pin balled in the Oxford penalty area, in amongst a forrest of red shirts, captain Charlie Carter swivelled and shot which was well saved.

In the 17th minute, Oxford’s resilience was shattered as Quigley drove at the heart of their defence after finding space.

Eastleigh’s number 20 had ice running through his veins as he cooly slotted the ball into the far bottom corner, after side footing his effort from just inside of the penalty area.

The Hampshire side should have doubled their lead, after an Oxford attack, the home side utilised their pace which presented a golden opportunity for goal number two.

Chris Maguire played Quigley in as he charged down towards goal, unselfishly the striker tried to square to McCallum for a tap-in but a vital outstretched boot denied the home side from scoring.

Quigley was the fulcrum of the attack again as he looped a header goal bound from the resulting corner which was destined for the top corner but Haigh caught comfortably.

Ryan Clampin and Enzio Boldewijn made lung-busting runs all night long to give the hosts width all over the park, this allowed the Spitfires to display a dynamic performance.

George Langston made a rare mistake as he passed straight to Safari Moore, the midfielder breezed past any Eastleigh pressure but the centre-half made a right from his wrong as he made a vital diving block to divert the danger.

A near perfect half of football from Eastleigh, breathtaking football, a handful of great chances, and dominating the game.

The only negative was that the game wasn’t wrapped up and three points were secured already.

Eastleigh started the second half as they ended the first, on top.

Their first opportunity of the second period came to McCallum as he rose highest and out climbed Haigh in the Oxford goal only for the ball to go over the crossbar.

The visitors nearly got back on level terms as Latrell Humphrey-Bushell whipped in a wide free kick which eluded everyone, apart from Aaron Williams-Bushell.

His shot darted goal wards but Langston was there to intervene and thump the ball clear.

In the 64th minute, Parker wheeled away in celebration as he flicked the low cross through the legs of Joe McDonnell, and into the Eastleigh net, only to be greeted with the raised flag from the linesman, offside and Eastleigh still led.

The game had been completely turned on its head, the visitors were enjoying long spells on the ball and were the side pushing for the next goal.

Against the run of play and as the chances were drying up for Eastleigh, Quigley scored his second of the night and eased the pressure on the Spitfire’s defence.

McDonnell launched the ball upfield, McCallum’s powerful header went over the Oxford backline and allowed the chance for Quigley to get his brace.

When the ball fell to the striker, he cutely lifted the ball over the out rushing Haigh to double the hosts lead, as he celebrated in the corner he was surrounded by the joyous ball boys.

That looked like the home side had wrapped up the points as the clock was running down, however, Lewis Coyle had other ideas.

The midfielder received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, after some good Oxford possession, he opened his body up and rocketed a shot into the top left corner which left the diving McDonnell no chance.

Oxford City had a golden chance to clinched a point at the Silverlake Stadium, as they had a free kick from 25 yards out, and Humphrey-Bushell empathically did that.

His first effort was a tame shot that hit the wall but when it came back to the playmaker he fizzed it hard and low into the bottom corner to send the visiting supporters into pandemonium.

Eastleigh pushed hard to find the winner but just couldn’t break down the sea of red shirts as all 11 players sat behind the ball.

Eastleigh: McDonnell (GK), Atangana, Francillette, Clampin, Carter (C), McCallum, Boldewijn, Langston, Rendall, Maguire 75′ (75′ Barlow), Quigley.

Oxford City: Haigh (GK), Miccio, Harrison, Coyle, Fleet (C), McEachran 64′ (64′ Sanderson), Parker, Williams-Bushell 72′ (72′ Fonkeu), Carroll, Humphrey-Bushell 89′ (89′ Burlery), Moore.

Attendance: 1,669 (80 away fans)

Report by Jack Bunclark