The Spitfires are beaten by Oldham Athletic under the lights at Boundary Park.

Billy Waters and Jake Caprice both put themselves on the scoresheet for the home side, during this evening’s clash in OL1.

Paul McCallum made his first start since January, and wore the armband in place of Jake Taylor who missed out through injury.

Tyrese Shade had a big chance early on, and looked set to give the Spitfires the lead of the game in just the sixth minute of the game. He broke through on goal, but put his shot just over the crossbar.

The home side then had their first chance of the game, and it was one that they would make sure of. Billy Waters nodded the ball home from close-range, giving Oldham the lead of the game in the eighth minute.

Oldham threatened again just moments after scoring, with Tom Conlon sending a low driven ball across the face of goal, with the hopes of finding Mike Fondop. His cross was met by Niall Maher, who put the ball out for a corner which would result in nothing.

In the 17th minute, the Latics came inches away from scoring twice in quick succession. The first shot came with Mike Fondop hitting the underside of the crossbar, in an attempt to chip Joe McDonnell. The ball then bounced down and into the path of Waters, who put his shot on target. But, fortunately for Eastleigh, Ludwig Francillette was on hand to clear the shot from off the line.

Following that sequence, the game settled down a bit. It wasn’t until the fifth minute of added time before the next chance presented itself. Noa Boutin had a go, but had his shot from the left side of thee box blocked. This was the last chance of the half, meaning the Spitfires would go into the break trailing by one.

Ben Close had the first real chance of the second-half just five minutes into it. He tested Tom Donaghy with a shot that was flying towards the top right corner, before it was met by a strong hand from the Oldham ‘keeper.

Charlie Raglan had a headed effort on goal after connecting with a free kick in the 63rd minute, but would see McDonnell get there to catch his shot.

Up the other end, Luis Fernandez had an audacious effort on goal fly wide of the target just moments later.

Connor Underhill spun Conlon, before driving towards goal and popping a shot towards the bottom left corner in the 70th minute. His should would go just wide of the target, as the Spitfires continued to push for a leveller.

In the 74th minute, Jake Caprice found the back of the net with a shot that went in at the near post, to double his sides lead of the game.

Underhill tested Donaghy, in an attempt to pull one back for the Spitfires in the 80th minute. His shot was tipped over the crossbar, and went out for a corner which resulted in nothing.

Tshikuna was sent off in injury-time, for his reaction to a foul by Joe Pritchard, that the referee wasn’t happy with.

Oldham Athletic: Donaghy (GK), Ogle, Kitching, Pett (Pritchard, 36′), Fondop (Norwood, 84′), Conlon (C) (Yoganathan, 72′), Rossiter, Raglan, Waters (Harratt, 54′), Caprice, Leake

Unused subs: Dennis (GK), Hobson, Uchegbulam

Goals: Waters (8′), Caprice (74′)

Yellow cards: Pritchard (90+3′)

Eastleigh: McDonnell (GK), Brindley, Fernandez, Francillette, McCallum (C) (Maguire, 77′), Shade, Hodson, Waruih (Underhill, 60′), Boutin, Close, Maher (Tshikuna, 43′)

Unused subs: Scott (GK), Humphries, Panter, Ryan

Yellow cards: McCallum (74′)

Red cards: Tshikuna (90+3′)

Referee: Jamie O’Connor

Attendance: 4,769 (34 away)

Report by Matthew Gibbs