The Spitfires were back on the road for the second time this week, this time visiting the Shay Stadium to face FC Halifax Town.

The hosts found the back of the net twice in the first half, before adding another to their tally just after the hour mark.

Richard Brindley scored his first goal in Eastleigh colours late on, but his goal came too late on for the Spitfires to be able to mount a comeback.

The Spitfires had a go on goal early on, with Tyrese Shade sending a long throw into the box. The ball found the head of Luis Fernandez, who looped the ball towards the top corner of the goal. Sam Johnson was able to get across his goal to catch Fernandez’ effort.

The Shaymen had their first attempt at getting on the scoresheet in the eighth minute. Angelo Capello had a go from outside the box, but saw his effort get denied by Joe McDonnell.

Florent Hoti had a chance just a couple of minutes after that. He had a dig from the left side of the box, his shot was held well by McDonnell.

For the next 15 minutes, both sides created chances but neither could manage to get any real shots off. That was until the Shaymen opened the scoring in the 26th minute through Billy Waters, who found the back of the net with a close-range effort.

Scott High had a go on goal in the 41st minute, following a fast-break. He could not find the target with his shot, and saw it sail wide of the post.

Will Smith scored Halifax’s second of the afternoon with a headed effort, just after four minutes of injury time were announced.

McDonnell denied Adan George from scoring another for the hosts just before half-time, but nether the less, the Spitfires were left with work to do in the second-half.

The first chance after the interval came quite early on. Solomon Nwabuokei made his presence known after coming on, by winning the ball and delivering a dangerous looking cross into the box. His cross was met by Fernandez, who did not manage to find the target.

George came close to scoring for Halifax in the 54th minute, but he saw his close-range effort get denied superbly by McDonnell, who was forced into making a diving save.

Adam Adetoro grabbed Halifax’s third in the 61st minute, with a headed effort.

Following the third goal, the Spitfires put some pressure on the Halifax defence, and created a few chances that didn’t end up resulting in much.

Jake Vokins dragged a free kick onto the edge of the box, into the path of Lloyd Humphries in the 81st minute. His shot was blocked by the Halifax defence.

Richard Brindley pulled a goal back for the Spitfires shortly after this. He opened his Spitfires account with a headed effort following a free kick.

Five minutes were added onto the end of the game, and despite some more pressure on the Halifax goal from Eastleigh, the Spitfires were not able to find the back of the net again, meaning things would end in defeat for the Spitfires in West Yorkshire.

FC Halifax Town: Johnson (C), Senior, Evans, Cooke, Cappello (Galvin, 27′), Smith, Hoti (Pugh, 78′), George (Wright, 74′), Adetoro, Waters (Oluwabori, 67′), High (Bray, 90′)

Unused Subs: Ford (GK), Arthur

Goals: Waters (26′), Smith (45+1′), Adetoro (61′)

Yellow Cards: Oluwabori (76′)

Eastleigh: McDonnell (GK), Brindley (Semenyo, 88′), Vokins (Boutin, 82′), Fernandez (Humphries, 59′), Maguire (McDonald, 46′), Taylor (C), McCallum, Shade, Waruih (Nwabuokei, 46′), Panter, Maher

Unused Subs: Scott (GK), Francillette

Goals: Brindley (82′)

Yellow Cards: Nwabuokei (52′)

Referee: William Davis

Attendance: 1,242

Report by Matthew Gibbs