EASTLEIGH hero Ross Lafayette provided the perfect advert for the old saying: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

A lesser striker might have waved the white flag after being frustrated by two "worldy" saves from Macclesfield's former Republic of Ireland under-21 goalkeeper Ritchie Branagan, who only played because ex-AFC Bournemouth stopper Shwan Jalal was injured.

But perseverance paid dividends for the former Welling and Luton hitman whose first competitive goal for the unbeaten Spitfires lifted them fourth in the Vanarama National League, writes Wendy Gee.

Prior to Saturday’s 1-0 victory, it had been Lafayette’s strike partner James Constable soaking up the limelight with four goals in as many games.

'Beano' went close again against the Silkmen when his eighth-minute shot was touched onto the post by the annoyingly brilliant Branagan who made Eastleigh wait an excruciating 66 minutes for the breakthrough.

Taking possession of a loose ball just inside the visitors’ half, Lafayette drove infield and sought out Jack Midson. The Eastleigh No12 exchanged passes with Andy Drury before pulling the ball back for Lafayette who headed home off the underside of the bar.

Judging by the warmth of the Spitfires' celebrations, Lafayette was a hugely popular scorer with teammates and management alike.

“I’m over the moon for the boy and so is the gaffer,” smiled Eastleigh assistant boss Chris Todd.

“Ross has worked tremendously hard this summer. Coming into a new club, he’s given it absolutely everything and hasn’t had the luck in front of goal.

“But he’s kept digging in and he’s showed today that if times aren’t going right for you and you dig in, you’ve always got a chance.

“All credit to their 'keeper, he’s pulled off some absolute worldies. But we’ve dug in as a team, even though he (Branagan) was disheartening us with some amazing saves, and we’ve come away with three valid points.”

With local youth teams handed free entry to the Silverlake, Eastleigh were spurred on by a season’s best crowd of 1,928.

But despite serving up some delightful football, it looked as if Branagan's stubborn resistance might force them to settle for a third straight draw.

The 23-year-old's stunning repertoire of saves included turning away an exquisitely struck Jai Reason free-kick before keeping Drury’s belting 30-yarder out of the top corner.

When he twice denied Lafayette – first saving point-blank from a header and then getting a hand to his 57th-minute shot on run – it appeared as if Branagan was bullet-proof.

But the Spitfires kept firing and Lafayette’s winner was fully deserved.

After an indifferent first half, Macclesfield picked up after the break. But Eastleigh’s on-loan Portsmouth goalkeeper Michael Poke who, like Jalal, had suffered a midweek bang to the head, held strong despite being dazed again when he and skipper Paul Reid combined to keep out Jack Sampson.

“He (Poke) did well to play today which shows his character,” said Todd. “He took a bad whack at Welling and another one on the same injury today, but right at the end he took the pressure off the back four (collecting Andy Halls’ high delivery) just when we needed him."

Eastleigh: Michael Poke, Joe Partington, Dan Harding (Michael Green, 78), Ben Strevens, Paul Reid, Jamie Turley, Andy Drury, Jack Midson (Yemi Odubade, 81), James Constable, Ross Lafayette (Lee Cook, 72), Jai Reason. Subs (not used): Josh Payne, Lewis Noice.

Referee: Richard Martin Attendance: 1,928