Eastleigh suuffered a damaging defeat at
St Albans - although
other results going
their way still means
a win at Thurrock
this weekend will
guarantee a play-off
place.
Fisher's win means
they move above
Eastleigh into fourth place
and Newport will also
move above
them if they get a
result against
Thurrock tonight.
However, as
Newport and
Fisher play each
other on the last
day, Eastleigh
are certain to
finish above one
of themif they
win at Thurrock.
"On the face of
it, it was extremely
disappointing to
lose at St Albans, but
we live to fight another
day because results
elsewhere went in our
favour," said Eastleigh
boss Ian Baird.
"It leaves us needing to
go to Thurrock and get a
result - and I'm sure we'd
have taken that if it had
been offered to us at the
start of the season."
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With Peter Adeniyi
suspended, Anthony
Riviere was restored to
the midfield on his return
from injury, while Matt
Hann was also in the
starting line up against
his former club.
Eastleigh's Andy
Forbes came close three
times in the early stages
of the game.
Two of his efforts were
just wide and he also just
failed to end on of a Paul
Sales flick-on.
Eastleigh took the lead
in the 21st minute when
Fisher fouled Hann and
Forbes converted the
resulting penalty.
St Albans started the
second half well, with
Matthews having to save
from Gray and Hakim.
They equalised in the
61st minute when
Thurlbourne set up Gray,
and a minute
later they took
the lead when
Wasiu twisted
and turned
before slotting
home.
Chris Piper
came close to
equalising with
a free kick, but
it was 3-1 in the
74th minute
when
Matthews was
dispossessed
by Wasiu who
made no mistake with the
goal at his mercy.
Eastleigh introduced all
three substitutes and one
of them, Steve Watts,
scored a good individual
goal from 25 yards,
holding off two challenges
before shooting into the
top corner.
Watts had a free header
from a free kick saved and
another substitute,
Marshall, drew the keeper
out, but did not do quite
enough to prevent the ball
being cleared.
With Lewes champions,
Eastbourne Borough
runners up and Hampton
& Richmond third,
Eastleigh know that if they
reach the play-offs they
will be up against
Eastbourne Borough or
Hampton & Richmond.
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