The Spitfires start the year with a draw after an eight-goal-thriller against Dagenham & Redbridge at the Silverlake Stadium.

Tom Eastman struck first before Josh Rees followed up with another goal just minutes later to give the visitors a two goal lead.

Paul McCallum then went on to bag a brace just before half-time to bring the score level.

Jayden Harris nodded the ball home to put the Spitfires ahead in the 49th minute before his goal was cancelled out by Rees seven minutes later.

McCallum put the Spitfires back in charge in the 67th minute, bagging his hat trick in the process.

Effiong then fired the ball home from range to earn the visitors a draw.

There was a relatively cagey start to the game with neither side really coming close to finding their way in front in the first half hour.

Eastman went on to put a stop to it in the 33rd minute by putting the Daggers ahead in the 33rd minute.

Rees then added a second to their tally just two minutes later.

Eastman attempted to add a third to their tally in the 38th minute with a close range effort but his shot flew over the bar.

McCallum responded with a goal in the 40th minute to bring the Spitfires back into it.

Bailey Clements squared the ball to him before he slotted to ball home into the bottom left corner to reignite the Spitfires.

Inih Effiong put the ball into the back off the net only to turn around and see that the referee had pulled it back for a foul in the build up.

McCallum attempted at bicycle kick at the start of injury time but saw his effort go wide.

He then went on to tie the game up in the seventh minute of injury time.

Chris Maguire whipped in a delicious crosses from a free kick which found McCallum, he slammed the ball home for the second time of the afternoon to leave the score level going into the half.

Harris put the Spitfires ahead just four minutes into the second half.

Maguire whipped in yet another cross which found Harris at the front post, he nodded the ball home to put the Spitfires into the lead for the first time in the tie.

Rees bundled the ball home to equalise for the visitors in the 56th minute.

Maguire had a go on goal in the 66th minute with a long range free kick that forced Elliot Justham into making a diving save.

McCallum finished off his hat trick in the 67th minute, Hodson whipped a cross straight onto his head, he cannoned the ball into the top left corner and restored the Spitfires lead.

Harris tried squaring the ball to Maguire only to see his pass come off of Eastman. It bounced towards goal but went just wide of the mark.

Effiong looked certain to score in the 77th minute but fired the ball over the bar from close range.

Moments later, Clements slotted the ball into the path of Maguire but he couldn’t find the target with his shot from inside the box.

Effiong brought it back level again in the 80th minute with a long range effort.

Sears had a go from close range in the 86th minute but skied his effort.

Neither side went on to create any real chances meaning they had to settle for a draw.

Report by Matthew Gibbs

Eastleigh: McDonnell (GK), Atangana, Taylor (C), McCallum, Langston, Hodson, Croll, Maguire, Clements, Panter, Harris (81)

Subs: Scott (GK), Clampin, Francillette, Barlow, Nwabuokei (81)

Dagenham & Redbridge: Justham (GK) (C), Eastman, Hessenthaler, Vincent, Rees, Effiong, Hill (28), Remy (75), Phipps, Ling, Appiah-Forson (75)

Subs: Tavares (75), Kendall, Obie, Lawless (28), Sears (75)

Attendance: 2211 (124 away)