A long-distance strike from winger Max Wright helped to shock the Spitfires as Halifax Town secured their place in the playoffs on the final day of the National League season.

In the later stages of the second half, Wright fired the ball into the top-right corner from a far distance to see his side claim a 3-0 win at the Silverlake Stadium.

The sun was beaming down onto the pitch as Eastleigh got the game underway on the final day of the 2023/24 National League season.

The Spitfires created the first chance of the game in just the second minute when George Langston whipped a lovely cross into the box, which led to Paul McCallum rattling the crossbar with a thunderous header.

Shortly after, Jack Evans tried his luck from distance but his shot floated high and wide of the goal.

McCallum proved to be an early threat in the game as he was again close to breaking the deadlock after his looping header landed on the roof of the net.

In the 14th minute, forward Andrew Oluwabori forced McDonnell into making a fine save after he danced his way past a couple of defenders before he curled his effort towards the far side of the goal.

Minutes later, Hodson delivered a dangerous-looking ball into the box which sailed past everybody, including Sam Johnson in between the sticks, but it narrowly missed the target.

It took 27 minutes for the deadlock to be broken by the Shaymen, Oluwabori sent a low ball into the centre of the box before Adan George placed shot crept in beyond McDonnell.

Oluwabori struck the back of the net in the dying minutes of the first half but the raised offside flag denied him a place on the scoresheet.

Chris Millington’s side went into the half-time break one goal to the good and held the slim advantage going into the second half.

McCallum nearly provided Kelvin Davis’ side with a rapid start to the remaining 45 minutes after he spun in the box and threaded a low shot just inches away from the goal.

In the 62nd minute, Halifax Town bolstered their bid for a playoffs spot after they doubled their advantage.

Midfielder Jamie Cooke received the ball inside the box before he rifled a half-volley into the back of the net to provide his side with a two-goal cushion.

The Yorkshire outfit were determined to add a third on a blitzing counter-attack but were denied by heroic last-ditch defending from Corey Panter.

Wright soon shocked the Spitfires with a third for the Shaymen after he rifled a brilliant long-range shot into the top corner of the goal.

This was the last real chance of the game, as the Spitfires went on to end their season in defeat.

Eastleigh: McDonnell (GK), Atangana (Merry 62′) (Rutherford 72′), Francillette, McCallum (C), Boldewijn, Langston, Hodson, Nwabuokei, Panter, Quigley (Maguire 54′), Vokins

Unused Subs: Camp, Greenwood

Halifax Town: Johnson (GK)(C), Golfden (Arthur 87′), Summerfield, Senior, Stott, Cooke, Evans, Thompson-Sommers, Wright, Oluwabori (Cosgrave 83′), George (Hunter 65′)

Unused Subs: Parker, Jenkins,

Goal: Adan George 27′, Cooke 62′, Wright 70′

Referee: Stephen Parkinson

Attendance: 2408 (120 Away)

Match report by: Freddie Kilbey