EASTLEIGH boss Chris Todd saluted two-goal match-winner James Constable in the wake of last night’s successful 2-1 revenge mission at Dover Athletic.

Just seven weeks earlier, Dover’s 5-2 win at the Silverlake Stadium had proved the last straw for Todd’s predecessor Richard Hill who resigned the following morning.

But that dark hour now seems light years away with Constable’s brace inflicting third-placed Dover’s first home league defeat of the season – and lifting the soaraway Spitfires to fourth in the Vanarama National League.

The former Oxford United hotshot opened the scoring on 53 minutes with a deflected strike from the edge of the box.

Ricky Modeste levelled shortly after the hour but, just three minutes later, the Spitfires were awarded a penalty when Jai Reason was brought down by Sam Magri.

Ben Strevens, who had coolly stroked home the winning FA Cup spot kick at Crewe three days earlier, this time had his effort stopped by Andy Rafferty diving low to his right in the Dover goal.

Strevens followed up and Rafferty parried again, but Constable managed to bundle it home for his eighth league goal of the season.

Modeste had an effort cleared off the line as Dover searched in vain for an equaliser but it was Eastleigh who had had the pick of the first-half chances with Josh Payne’s curling free kick well tipped over by Rafferty – making his first league start in place of the suspended Mitch Walker – and Will Evans heading against the underside of the bar from a corner.

Hailing Constable a “natural goalscorer”, a delighted Todd said: “James has got such a pedigree behind him and he’s a massive asset to the football club.

“He showed what he does best. When he gets a chance, he’ll take it.

“The second goal, off the penalty, just goes to show what he’s about. He gambles and he was the first one on the end of it when it got saved by the ’keeper.

“That’s James all over. He’s a top pro.”