EASTLEIGH’S magnificent run of five straight wins at the end of the regular Vanarama Conference season earned manager Richard Hill the manager-of-the-month award for April.

A phenomenal debut season in non-League’s top flight ultimately ended in disappointment for the Spitfires who were well beaten 5-1 on aggregrate by Grimsby Town in the play-off semi-finals.

But at the start of the campaign, Eastleigh fans would never have dreamed their side would finish as high as fourth on their first visit to non-League's top table. 

On receiving the April prize as best boss, Hill said: “I am very pleased to have received this award, especially at this time of the season when it is the business end and also the end of another historic season for Eastleigh Football Club. It shows how far the club has come in the past year.

“I am not one for self-praise, but in my two-and-a-half years here Eastleigh have reached two play-off semi-finals and won a championship.

“I have a good, experienced set of players who have to do the job on the pitch.”

The official award panel said: “During the last month of the season there have been many clubs under pressure to achieve results and so a number of candidates came to the fore.

 “The Spitfires’ performances shone through in April after coming from behind on a number of occasions under the astute leadership of Richard.

 “Not only did Eastleigh get themselves into the play-off positions, despite only gaining promotion last season, importantly they stayed there."