Kelvin Davis made a dream start to his Eastleigh managerial career as the Spitfires scored four first half goals before running out 5-2 winners against Oxford City, the National League's bottom club, in midweek.

It brought an abrupt end to a lean 11-match run which saw Eastleigh plummet to within four points of the relegation zone and culminated in Richard Hill quitting as manager after the weekend's 3-0 defeat at Ebbsfleet United.

The evening could hardly have begun better for the former Saints goalkeeper and his assistant Danny Butterfield, with Eastleigh three goals up inside 11 minutes.

Top scorer Paul McCallum hadn't scored in his previous four Spitfires' games but he struck twice in the opening eight minutes.

He struck within the opening minute, bundling home Scott Quigley's headed effort and then repeating the dose soon afterwards.

Eleven minutes on the clock and Eastleigh were 3-0 up - Ludwig Francillette connecting with a Ben Reeves corner. 

The travelling Spitfires fans, unable to cheer a win since Eastleigh beat Dorking Wanderers 2-1 two days before Christmas, watched as Francillette headed against the City woodwork.

But they didn't have long to wait for a fourth goal as three minutes before half-time Jake Taylor chested the ball into the path of Quigley.

The first half could hardly have gone better for Davis and Butterfield, who had only one pre-match training session with the players after their rapid appointment on Monday lunchtime.

It got even better with Taylor, preferred to Chris Maguire in midfield, adding a fifth before Oxford City clawed two goals back later.

The win lifted Eastleigh to a mid-table 12th place, but they are still only four points clear of the drop zone ahead of the TNT live televised match against second placed Bromley at the Silverlake Stadium on Saturday, 12.30pm.

Retired goalkeeper Davis, who made 301 Saints appearances, has joined Eastleigh on a deal until the end of the season.

He has been searching for work since the summer of 2022 when he was sacked as Southampton's assistant, a post he held for four and a half years.

On joining Eastleigh Davis said: “I’m excited. It’s a big deal to be Eastleigh manager. It kind of came at an unexpected time. I’m thrilled to be here and get into the environment. I’m looking forward to it.

"I know the area, I’ve been down to the Silverlake a few times to watch games. By the nature of its area, Eastleigh have always been a second club for me.

“It’s funny how the football gods work sometimes. My coaching path has ended up bringing me here. There were lots of reasons why I wanted to come here.

“I’ve been out of work for a little while and I had highlighted two or three clubs that I felt suited me and my style. Eastleigh was one of them. I’m really happy to get the call and have the opportunity.”

Asked what Eastleigh supporters can expect from his side, Davis said: “First of all I want the players to enjoy playing football. I want them to turn up and feel excited about their working day. 

“There were fantastic buy-in from the boys in training before the 5-2 win at Oxford. I like that in football, I like energy and I like to play a brand of football that is exciting."