EASTLEIGH’S kings of the road can look forward to a well-deserved midweek break after notching a third away win in the space of eight glorious days.

After racking up the miles to Crewe Alexandra in the FA Cup and Dover Athletic in the league, the Spitfires hit the highway once more on Friday in preparation for Saturday’s Vanarama National League showdown at Guiseley.

And, yet again, Chris Todd’s troops showed why they boast the best away record in England's top five divisions, grinding out a resolute 4-1 victory on a quagmire of a pitch at Nethermoor to rise to third in the table.

Midfielder Andy Drury responded to being named skipper by netting twice, while Joe Partington and Jai Reason weighed in with one apiece.

Saluting quiet man Drury’s contribution, manager Todd said: “I’m delighted for him.

“We gave him the captain’s armband and put a bit of added responsibility on him and he came up trumps.

“He’s not the most vocal player, but he does what he does on the pitch and leads by example.

“The performance of the lads today was totally professional.

“We’ve had a tough week going to Dover and putting in the performance we did there and then having to come away on a Friday to Guiseley for an overnight stay and being told the match could potentially be off the night before.

“The pitch was very difficult at times but our players were very professional.

“The commitment we’ve shown over the last seven days has been amazing. This was a massive three points for us.”

Guiseley, missing six players through injury and suspension, made a bright enough start as they looked to flush a 5-0 midweek pasting at league leaders Cheltenham out of their system.

But it was Eastleigh who went ahead when left-back Michael Green crossed for 31-year-old Drury to fire home with 22 minutes gone.

Seven minutes of Spitfires pressure followed before the visitors struck again when Lee Cook – back from shoulder problems – teed up Partington to nod home.

Adam Boyes halved the deficit six minutes before the break and, as the rain continued to lash down, it was hard going for both sides.

But Eastleigh kept slogging away on a fast deteriorating surface and restored their two-goal advantage on 72 minutes when the excellent James Constable set up Drury to turn his man inside the box and pick out the bottom corner.

Another character-filled away performance was completed two minutes from time when sub Ross Lafeyette delivered an inviting low ball for Reason to bury from close range.

“I’m proud, very proud, and I’ll keep saying it because at the minute the players are really performing,” smiled Todd.

“The pitch was boggy and getting boggier as the game went on and we managed the conditions really well.

“We are a strong outfit now and are starting to show really good signs for the remainder of the season.

“The games have been coming up consistently fast and it’s nice to have a week’s break to get back on the training ground and work on different things.”

Centre-back Jamie Turley limped off late in the game with hamstring trouble and Todd said: “It’s a blow, but we’ll have to assess it and see where it goes.

"Hopefully we can get Turls right, but we’ll deal with it.”

After playing five of their last six games away from home, Eastleigh will make their Silverlake return against Grimsby Town in the league this Saturday.