The Spitfires hold out against Dorking Wanderers to seal the win, despite a late scare.

An end to end first-half was finished off with a bang when Ludwig Francillette opened the scoring.

Paul McCallum went on to double that lead just before the hour mark to leave the Spitfires in a great position.

Seb Bowerman pulled one back for Dorking late on but it wasn’t enough for them and the Spitfires went on to seal the win.

The first real chance of the game came from a corner whipped in by Chris Maguire, Jayden Harris rose the highest to meet the cross but saw his headed effort saved by Harrison Male.

Dorking’s first chance fell to them in the 16th minute when Luke Moore grazed the side netting with a close range effort.

Bailey Clements looked set to open the scoring in the 34th minute, he was slipped through on goal by McCallum before he blasted the ball towards goal. Male produced a good save to keep the score level.

After what was a quiet half from both sides, the scoring was opened in the 44th minute with Francillette heading home to get his first league goal for the Spitfires.

Maguire swung in an inviting cross that was met by Francillette who towered above everyone else, he then blasted the ball into the left side of the goal to put the Spitfires ahead going into half-time.

The Spitfires doubled their lead in the 58th minute. There will be no prizes for guessing who the scorer was, McCallum bundled the ball home at the back post to get his 22nd goal of the season.

The next chance of the game came in the 65th minute when Francillette thundered the ball towards goal from range, he saw his effort fly wide to the left of the target.

Ryan Clampin was put through on goal in the 74th minute but he couldn’t get his shot off properly, leading to Male making a comfortable save.

Dorking pulled one back in the 83rd minute through substitute Seb Bowerman, giving them some hope going into the last few minutes of the game.

Bowerman then had another pop in the first minute of injury time, he saw his curling effort go just wide of the post.

This was the last chance of the game as the Spitfires went on to seal the victory.

Report by Matthew Gibbs

Eastleigh: McDonnell (GK), Atangana (C), Francillette, McCallum, Barlow (67), Langston, Hodson, Croll, Maguire, Clements, Harris (67)

Subs: Scott (GK), Clampin (67), Nwabuokei (67), Panter, Rutherford

Dorking Wanderers: Male (GK), Craig, McManus, Briggs (46), McShane (64), Carter, J Taylor, Moore (67), Hollis, Gallagher, Fuller (C)

Subs: Philpot, B Taylor, Ottaway (64), Blair (46), Bowerman (67)

Attendance: TBC