Eastleigh'S secret weapon for tonight's Ryman Premier Division play-off semi-final has worked closely with Hampshire cricket legend Robin Smith and current Australian Test star Matthew Hayden.

Eastleigh host Braintree Town at the Sparshatts Stadium (7.30pm) aiming to win a place in Saturday's winner-takes-all play-off final at either Billericay or Leyton.

With a paltry 33 goals conceded this season, Braintree boast the most formidable defensive record in the Ryman Premier.

But ex-Saints hardman Mark Dennis reckons it's Eastleigh's rearguard fortitude that will make them a hard side to beat - and praises Hampshire Cricket unsung heroe Bob Beattie for that.

Eastleigh are unquestionably the form side having finished the league season off on a superb 14-game unbeaten run.

But the statistic that particularly pleases director of football Dennis is that they have conceded just one goal in their last seven outings.

According to Dennis, a lot of that comes down to mental toughness, for which they owe a huge debt of thanks to Hampshire's fitness instructor Bob Beattie.

"Bob has instilled great mental belief in the players and we've only lost two out of 17 games since he's been here," said Dennis.

"He's worked one-on-one with a lot of cricketers like Robin Smith and Matthew Hayden helping with their training and their mental approach.

"His training exercises are fantastic. He's introduced of things like ladder work and agility work which the lads are loving.

"He's even advising them on diet.

"He's stopped them drinking tea because it dehydrates you and he brings in fruit to boost their fibre.

"Obviously most of the credit for what we've achieved belongs to the lads themselves, but people like Bob have all contributed and helped make us a bit more mean and nasty than we were before.

"When London sides came down here we used to be bullied to degree, but we're getting better now and coming up to their level.

"If we can compete with Braintree, then I'm certain our quality will shine through."

Eastleigh are anticipating a crowd of 1,000-plus to cheer them on as they bid to complete three successive promotions into the Nationwide Conference South.

"I can't wait for the occasion," said Dennis.

"Play-offs are a bit of a lottery, but what a lovely lottery to be in!"

With striker Andy Forbes coming safely through a 20-minute run-out on Saturday after hamstring problems, Eastleigh should be at full strength tonight with the exception of broken ankle victims Tyronne Bowers and Danny Rofe.