Eastleigh failed to capitalise on a first half goal as Forest Green Rovers completed a second half turn around to steal the three points.

With six minutes gone, Joe McDonnell’s wayward back pass made it only as far as Liam Sercombe who strode forwards. His through ball ricoched into the path of Harry Cardwell whose shot was saved brilliantly by McDonnell.

An in-swinging free kick from Chris Maguire reached the head of Paul McCallum who flicked it with power just over the bar.

Scott Quigley’s overhit cross was returned by Maguire who looped it to the centre of the box. The ball was controlled by the Forest Green defence, however Jake Taylor’s block almost snuck its way past Jed Ward.

Just over half way gone in the first half and an over the top ball from Jamie Robson sailed past the Eastleigh defence and reached Cardwell who went 1-on-1 with McDonell and lost when he saw his shot saved-well past the post.

With half-time looming, a long throw from McCallum reached Taylor who headed towards goal and managed to find Maguire who bundled the ball in to put the Spitfires 1-0 up.

Early on into the second half, McCann intercepted a pass from Angel Waruih and charged towards the Eastleigh goal. His simple pass was collected by Cardwell who found space and levelled the score with a strike past McDonnell.

With the 60 minute mark approaching, some nice football from McCallum and Tyrese Shade resulted in Richard Brindley firing just wide from the edge of the area.

What felt like almost instantly after, Forest Green Rovers progressed towards the Eastleigh goal, McCann found some space on the edge of the box and saw his shot parried by McDonnell. Jake Vokins tried to prevent Tom Knowles’ follow up from going in, however it still found its way to the back of the net.

It was made 3-1 to Forest Green in the 69th minute after a square ball to the penalty spot was met by McCann and was too powerful for McDonnell.

A first half goal was not enough for Eastleigh as Forest Green come from behind to hand the Spitfires their first home loss of the season.

This game is followed by an FA Cup qualifier against Southend United on the 12th of October at the Silverlake Stadium.

Eastleigh: McDonnell (GK), Brindley, Vokins (Boutin, 73′), Francillette, Maguire, Taylor (C), McCallum, Shade, Waruh, Quigley (Macdonald, 73′), Maher

Unused subs: Scott (GK), Humphries, Fernandez, Panter, Semenyo

Goals: Maguire (38′)

Forest Green Rovers: Ward (GK), Innis, Osadebe, McAllister, McCann, Sercombe (Doidge, 88), Knowles (Lavinier, 88′) , Moore-Taylor (C), Robson (Tozer, 90′), May (Bunker, 90′), Cardwell (Quigley, 81)

Unused subs: Searle (GK), Maddox

Goals: Cardwell (47′), Knowles (58′), McCann (69′)

Yellow Cards: Osadebe (9′)

Referee: Farai Hallam

Attendance: TBC

Report by James McGlynn