It was stoppage time heartbreak for Eastleigh on Tyne & Wear in midweek - a 97th minute penalty denying the Spitfires a National League victory over Gateshead.

Eastleigh haven't won since beating Dorking 2-1 just before Christmas but that winless nine-match run looked to be ending nine minutes into the second half when Enzio Boldewijn cured home a superb effort from the left corner of the penalty area, writes Mike Vimpany.

But Spitfires' hopes - together with those of the 14 gallant Eastleigh fans who made the near 630 mile round trip to the north east - were scuppered when Gateshead midfielder Luke Hannant scored a penalty equaliser deep into added time to salvage a point for the hosts. 

"The lads were fantastic - a much improved performance than in recent weeks," praised manager Richard Hill, who was far from impressed with the standard of refereeing.

It was only Eastleigh's third point out of a possible 21 since Christmas - a statistic that has all but mathematically put them out of potential play-off contention.

They entertain improving Fylde at the Silverlake Stadium on Saturday only seven points off the bottom four.

Eastleigh flew north without top scorer Paul McCallum, who was sent off for a second bookable offence shortly before half-time against Chesterfield.

His dismissal came shortly after James Berry had fired the runaway National League leaders ahead - a lead they trebled with two goals in 90 seconds late in the second half.

Chris Maguire converted a last kick of the match penalty to trim Chesterfield's winning lead to 3-1.