Eastleigh have a "happy knack" of sharing goals throughout the team

But that does not unduly worry manager Chris Todd who was grateful to two engine room workers for dragging his side back from behind for a 2-1 home win over FC Halifax Town on Saturday, writes Wendy Gee.

Given the four excellent performances that preceded this game, Eastleigh looked strangely out of sorts for the first 45 minutes and it was hard to argue that lowly Halifax – saddled with the league's worst away record - did not deserve to go in 1-0 up courtesy of Kingsley James’ 15th-minute strike.

But, after some half-time tweaks to the Spitfires’ formation, ex-Luton man Andy Drury’s cool finish pulled them back on terms before fellow midfielder Josh Payne applied the 70th-minute coup de gras to lift the Spitfires seventh and dump the Shaymen bottom of the pile.

James Constable, who made a positive contribution off the bench after a three-match suspension, remains Eastleigh’s leading marksman with six VNL goals, but you have to scroll down to 19th place to find his name on the listings.

But Todd said: “Both our scorers today were midfielders and it’s a good knack to have spreading goals throughout the team.

“It would be nice to get one of our main strikers into the top-ten scorers’ category, but if the boys keep chipping in with goals from all over the park that can only be a bonus for everyone.

“It wasn’t a good first half for us, but it wasn’t that bad either. There weren’t a lot of chances, but Halifax had one real chance and took it.

“They were dictating play too much so we made a few tactical changes to stop them getting as much of the ball as they’d been getting.

“I told the lads that there are going to be times this season when things go against us and not to be too disappointed by it.

“So credit to them for coming out and showing the application and desire to want to win. The boys dug deep for the result.

“On our second-half performance, we deserved it.”

Barring a header over by Jamie Turley and a shot wide from Ross Lafayette, Halifax’s goal was largely untroubled in the first half.

And though Eastleigh goalkeeper Ross Flitney was not exactly overworked himself, the Shaymen were enjoying far too much possession from a home perspective and inevitably took the lead.

Flitney did well to repel Sam Walker’s angled drive from the left, but the ball fell nicely for England C man James to rifle into the far corner. It was no more than the visitors deserved.

Eastleigh, though, emerged a different animal after the break and took just three minutes to level. Lafayette’s initial raid on goal broke down, but they kept the ball alive and home debutant Matty Fanimo crossed for Drury to coolly bring the ball under control before slotting it home.

With his goal suddenly under siege, Shaymen’s keeper Matthew Glennon did well to deny Fanimo at his near post but Eastleigh kept banging on the door and eventually knocked it down when another left-wing delivery, this time from Yemi Odubade, was headed home by Payne on 70 minutes.

“Normally it’s the reverse and Yemi getting on the end of them,” smiled Eastleigh’s match winner.

“But this time Yemi’s picked me out at the back stick. I don’t think I’ve ever scored a header before, but they all count!”

Halifax were far from done and piled on the late pressure, forcing a series of set-pieces.

Flitney stuck out a vital hand to turn away sub Shaun Tuton’s goalbound effort and, right at the death, Nicky Wroe had one shot blocked by Ben Strevens and fired another over.

Saluting a Halifax performance that belied their lowly standing, Todd said: “Their league position lies a bit. They’re a good side and I don’t think they should be where they are. They will beat teams this season – and good teams as well.”

Eastleigh: Ross Flitney, Joe Partington, Dan Harding, Will Evans, Jamie Turley, Josh Payne, Ben Strevens, Andy Drury, Ross Lafayette (James Constable, 56), Yemi Odubade (Michael Green, 90), Matty Fanimo (Jack Midson, 66).Subs: Lewis Noice, Paul Reid.

Referee: Adam Hopkins Attendance: 1,890.