AS a former manager himself, Eastleigh No2 Andy Hessenthaler has felt Richard Hill’s pain this season.

Watching the Spitfires from the dugout has been tough at times – and Saturday was no exception.

From leading 2-0 at home to Gateshead, Eastleigh were pegged back to 2-2 with little more than two minutes of normal time remaining and it looked like another depressing drive home to Oxfordshire for Hill.

But on an afternoon when a rainbow arced the skies above the Silverlake, the Spitfires deservedly found their pot of gold when Ben Strevens popped up with a priceless winner five minutes into stoppage time, stopping the rot of three straight league and cup defeats.

Hill is well thought of by chairman Stewart Donald and there is nothing to suggest his position has been under threat despite an underwhelming start to the Vanarama National League campaign.

After changing manager no fewer three times last season, it seems unlikely Donald has the appetite for yet more upheaval at the Silverlake.

But Hill is a proud man and, in his dual role of director of football, he knew that performances - and results - simply had to improve.

And despite nearly frittering the win away, Saturday's last-gasp heroics are a huge step in the right direction.

“Credit to the gaffer. It’s been hard,” said former Gillingham, Dover and Orient boss Hessenthaler in the wake of Eastleigh's 3-2 victory.

“Coming in on Monday morning after the FA Cup game (a 2-1 defeat by lower league Hereford) is not easy for a manager, I know that because I’ve been in his shoes.

“We’ve been on a sticky run and taken some criticism, so I’m pleased for the boys today and pleased for the gaffer as well.

“I know what it’s like being a manager and getting a bit of criticism. It’s tough to take and you have to have broad shoulders.”

With a free entry home game against rock-bottom Solihull Moors coming up on Tuesday (7.45pm), this could be a pivotal week for Eastleigh going forward.

Hill’s decision to switch to a 4-3-3 against Gateshead brought immediate rewards as Ben Williamson fired them in front with just five minutes gone.

They hit bar and post through Danny Hollands and Williamson before doubling their advantage just after the hour courtesy of James Constable.

At that point, you couldn’t see The Heed getting much joy from an Eastleigh defence superbly marshalled by fit-again Ryan Cresswell, making his first appearance for a year after knee surgery.

But the tide ominously began to turn when Jordan Preston gobbled up the rebound from Jordan Burrow’s saved shot on 74 minutes and, with less than three minutes remaining, Eastleigh’s world appeared to have caved in again when Theo Vassell capitalised on a goalmouth scramble.

But, for once, fate was kind to the Spitfires as sub Mark Yeates jinked his way across from the left and thumped a hard, low shot through a packed area which player/coach Strevens jubilantly turned over the line.

“We had to juggle things around and go 4-3-3 for something different and, unfortunately, that meant Mark Yeates being left out,” Hessenthaler explained.

“But he didn’t sulk and he’s showed great character coming on and making the goal.

“I’ve got to say too that it was an outstanding performance by Ryan Cresswell.

“He’s been out all that time, but he’s come in today and played a skipper’s role. He was terrific, so credit to him.”

Eastleigh: Ross Flitney, Ayo Obileye, Michael Green, Danny Hollands, Ryan Cresswell, Callum Howe, Gary McSheffrey (Mark Yeates, 73), Sam Wood, Paul McCallum (Craig McAllister, 66), Ben Williamson (Ben Strevens, 83), James Constable. Subs: (not used) Chris Zebroski, Cavaghn Miley.

Referee: Richard Hulme.

Attendance: 1,597.