DAVID HUGHES won't score an easier goal than his three-yard winner against Leyton - but it's likely to be a highly important one in the chase for a coveted Ryman League Premier Division play-off spot.

His 33rd-minute strike, made simple when Leyton's James Hasell was only able to parry Shaun Dyke's drive, earned Eastleigh a fifth win in sixth matches.

And, with Salisbury holding Billericay to a goalless draw, it has enabled Paul Doswell's side to climb above the Essex men and into third spot.

Significantly, and even though they have played a game more than two of their rivals, Eastleigh enjoy a five-point lead over Hampton, who fill the fifth play-off spot.

Reflecting on the game, match-winner Hughes said: "It wasn't a pretty game, in fact it was downright scrappy.

"You can't expect teams to play well every time they take the field and that's what happened to us against Leyton, even though we were the better side.

"At this stage of the season with the games running out, you take everything you can - and that includes picking up points when you don't play particularly well."

There was little double that Eastleigh deserved to beat a disappointing Leyton, with whom they drew 2-2 with in front of a meagre 71 crowd last autumn.

They twice struck the woodwork and seldom looked under threat of losing the lead.

"But we'd targeted six more wins before the Leyton match, so there's still some hard work to do," Hughes remarked.

"The Easter Monday visit to Salisbury and Braintree's visit here in early April are going to be particularly big ones."