A first half penalty from Tristan Abrahams ensured that the Spitfires returned to winning ways in the Vanarama National League, with a 1-0 win over 10-man Boreham Wood.
The hosts had the first chance of the game when Danny Whitehall struck a volley wide of the mark seven minutes in.
Eastleigh had penalty appeals turned away by the referee when Abrahams was brought down in the 9th minute, as the referee deemed the foul to be on the edge of the box.
Abrahams took the resulting free-kick but it was comfortably dealt with by Boreham Wood’s goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore.
The visitors had their first attempt of the game when Zac Brunt fired an effort straight into Joe McDonnell’s hands.
Boreham Wood again threatened when Danny Newton looped a header towards goal, which was once again saved comfortably by McDonnell.
The turning point of the game came in the 33rd minute, as Jamal Fyfield saw red following an altercation with Whitehall in the box, which saw the referee award Eastleigh a penalty.
Abrahams converted from the spot, drilling the ball straight down the middle to give the hosts a deserved lead.
Just before the break, the Spitfires nearly extended their lead, as Oscar Rutherford’s fine cross was headed over by Whitehall.
Shortly after the restart, Rutherford again found Whitehall with space in the box, but he blasted his shot over the bar.
On the hour mark, George Broadbent’s free-kick went well over the bar from thirty yards out, as the visitors searched for an equaliser.
Jack Payne then saw his long-range effort parried away from danger by McDonnell.
Boreham Wood’s Dennon Lewis almost made an instant impact minutes after coming off the bench, when he hammered an effort narrowly wide of the mark.
With 10 minutes remaining, Whitehall curled a free-kick over the bar, as the hosts looked to kill the game off.
Rutherford nearly sealed the win late on when Alfie Lloyd squared the ball nicely for him, but he couldn’t convert from close range.
Despite some further pressure late on from Boreham Wood, the Spitfires did enough to see the game through and seal an important three points.
Eastleigh Starting XI: McDonnell, Kelly, Atangana (42), Maghoma, Carter, Cisse (c), Whitehall, Hill, Langston, Abrahams (45), Rutherford
Subs: Flitney, Camp, Harper (45), Yang, Lloyd (42)
Boreham Wood Starting XI: Ashmore (c), Ilesanmi, Evans, Stephens, Broadbent, Ndlovu, Newton (70), Fyfield, Payne, Brunt (70), Coxe
Subs: Rees, Marsh, Lewis (70), Williams, Sousa (70)
Report by Tom Humphrey
