RONNIE Moore’s Saturday night tweet encapsulated his feelings after Eastleigh had motored up to sixth in the Vanarama National League with a 1-0 win at Macclesfield.

He posted: “Well done lads, brilliant effort, done nothing yet but moving in right direction.”

After a stuttering start to the season, which cost Moore’s predecessor Chris Todd his job, the Spitfires are starting to grind out the sort of results that will have their promotion rivals on high alert.

A midweek point – which, perhaps, should have been three – at second-placed Forest Green Rovers was not to be sniffed at.

And on Saturday at Moss Rose the Spitfires made it a highly respectable four points out of six from what, on paper, had looked an extremely arduous week on the road.

It was a match of fine margins at Macclesfield, but it was Eastleigh who held their nerve to strike the three-point jackpot with a 50th-minute goal from rising star Luke Coulson.

The versatile midfielder, prised from Oxford City for a club record fee last term, missed the start of Moore’s reign with injury.

But, having impressed as a sub against Southport, he shone from the start at Forest Green and on Saturday scored a goal which may well prove priceless when the promotion chips are down at the business end of the season.

Left-back Michael Green was the provider and Coulson took full advantage of the time and space afforded him to squeeze the ball past Craig Ross in the Silkmen’s goal.

“It was a great ball in to be fair,” said Moore.

“Greener’s picked him out from nowhere and it was a great finish from Coulson, who is looking nice and sharp.

“We had another couple of chances and, with a bit of composure in and around the area, we might have had a second.

"But I can’t grumble.

“We didn’t play half as well today as we did at Forest Green, but we still had enough guile and determination to go and win the game.

“We deserved to win it. We were under a bit of pressure late on when they just launched balls into our box, but if our two centre-backs can’t handle that ... it’s food and drink for them.”

Eastleigh, unbeaten in seven league games, are now five points behind early-season pace-setters Dagenham & Redbridge going into this Saturday’s intriguing home showdown with Paul Doswell’s Sutton United.

“It’s unbelievable how gaps can close,” said Moore. “We’re now looking back and thinking ‘if only’ – Southport (a home draw) being the one – if only!

“But if onlys get you nothing and we’ve just got to keep playing as we are and keep believing.

“We’re on the fringe, but there’s still a long way to go.

“But it’s nice we’re keeping clean sheets and we’re starting to score goals.”

With Andy Drury injured, out-of-favour midfielder Jai Reason impressed in his first start under Moore, but whether that will be enough to keep him at the club remains to be see.

The boss is still keen to draft in new additions, admitting “it's still not quite right”, and that means one or two more heading through the exit door.

Discussing Reason's performance, Moore said: “He did well. It’s difficult when you’ve been on the fringes especially when you’ve been sat in the stands, not even on the bench.

“Jai's been patient and, with Drury getting injured, he’s come in. It’s his place to lose.”

Eastleigh: Ross Flitney, Joe Partington, Michael Green, Jason Taylor, Ryan Cresswell, Reda Johnson, Luke Coulson, Jai Reason, James Constable, Mikael Mandron, Jake Howells (Adam Dawson, 84). Subs (not used): Ryan Huddart, Adam Dugdale, David Pipe, Ryan Bird.

Referee: Martin Coy

Attendance: 1,287