Top of the league Rochdale beat Eastleigh 2-0 at the Crown Oil Arena with Tarryn Allarikhia scoring a brace to defeat the Spitfires’. 

After a close contest in the first 45 minutes there was no real contest in the second after the dale got a huge stroke of luck just five minutes into the first half when Lloyd Humphries clearance went backwards into his own net from Allarikha’s cross.

Allarikha was involved in the goals once again in the 73rd minute the forward did not need luck on this occasion as he smashed a beautiful volley passed the Eastleigh goalkeeper to make it 2-0 wrapping up all three points.

Scott Bartlett made two changes from the side that faced Hartlepool last weekend. Unfortunately Sam Pearson missed out through injury, resulting in James Waite making his debut for the Spitfires. Aaron Pierre also dropped to the bench and he was replaced by Luis Fernandez.

The first shot of the game came on the 10th minute mark when Devante Rodney spun away from Josh Lundstram just outside the edge of the box he then found Joe Pritchard who saw his shot was blocked for a corner that amounted to nothing.

Three minutes later Townsend had to make a superb outstretched save to deny Rodney after Pritchards initial shot fell to the striker from close range.

Despite the visitors having majority of the ball, Josh Lundstam created a golden chance for himself as he picked up the ball at the edge of the box and soared through one on one with Nathan Broome. However Broome made a fantastic save keeping the score level 17 minutes in.

In the 30th minute Rochdale nearly took the lead through some audacious acrobatics as Allarakhia tried the spectacular, he connected well too, but Townsend was up for the test.

It was one magnificent attempt after another as Kieron Evans let off a thirty yard strike towards the top left corner and the welshman was really not far away at all worrying, Broome and the Rochdale faithful.

After the first 37 minutes a lot of fans at the ground would have found it hard to believe that it was still 0-0 especially after a pinpoint back post delivery was met by Ryan East who headed across to Allarakia who somehow didn’t put it into the back of the net as Townsend smothered to safety.

The end to end first half had one more chance left in the 45, as Eastleigh countered with promise, Lundstram managed to pick out Richard Brindley in space on the right-hand side. The fullback struck the ball first time but his effort went just wide. This was the last chance of the half as it ended 0-0.

After a first half that could have had an abundance of goals, It didn’t take long for the first goal of the game as just four minutes into the half Lloyd Humphries attempted clearance found it’s way into the back of his own net following Allarikha’s cross into the box.

With 57 minutes on the clock Eastleigh thought they got their leveller when a cross met Lundstrams diving header but his effort hit the side netting.

Eastleigh failed to capitalise on the one goal gap and not long later it was two. Adebayo-rowlings cross was flicked towards Allarkhia by Gordon and this was connected with beautifully as a thunderous volley flew past Townsend to make it 2-0 with 15 minutes remaining.

Just one minuter later Aaron Blair who provided a bright spark off the bench came extremely close to giving the Eastleigh faithful something to cheer about when his left footed effort curler flew just wide of the top corner.

Unfortunately the Spitfires were unable to come up with a response in Manchester as the long trip back home awaits for the excellent Eastleigh fans who were in fine voice throughout the 90 minutes today.

Rochdale: Broome, Gordon, East (Petit 77′), Ebanks-landell, Allarakhia (Gavin 77′), Gilmour (Burger 86′) Dieseruvwe (62′), Rodney (Barlow 62′), Adebayor-Rowling, Pritchard (McBride 62′), Beckwith

Unused Substitutes: Amantchi, Moss

Goals: Allarakhia 54′, Allarakhia 73′

Eastleigh: Townsend, Brindley, Humphries, Fernandez, Eweka, Evans, McCallum, Waite, Saunders (Blair 70′) Lundstram (85′ Waruih), Harris

Unused Substitutes: McNamara, Vokins, Pierre, Davis, Whitehead

Yellow Cards: Lundstram 80′

Attendance: 2219

Report by Ed Groves