PAUL DOSWELL'S pleasure at watching Eastleigh clinch their third straight win was negated by the appalling state of Cheshunt's Theobalds Lane ground.

Speaking after two-goal Craig McAllis-ter, Andy Forbes and Ryan Ashford had sealed a 4-2 victory to hoist Eastleigh up to third, Doswell said: "The result was good, but the place was dreadful, absolutely vile.

"It's the worst pitch I've ever seen. It made Sittingbourne look like Wembley!

"It was like a fairground ride to play on, undulating all the way up both wings.

"The clubhouse was no better. There were bare electrics, plaster falling out of the ceiling and four windows were smashed, along with two more in the toilets.

"Some of the toilets had seats missing and we had to get changed six at a time in the dressing-room because it was so small.

"Even the Eastleigh of old would have looked fantastic compared to that and you can't help but question how on earth Cheshunt got into the league.

"You think of all the hard work we had to do to get our ground up to standard and then you go to a place like that. I must admit Mark Dennis and Nicky Banger did a better job than me making sure the lads concentrated on winning.

"The players deserve a lot of credit. It was freezing cold and snowing at times and there was no atmosphere. Even Denno said what a depressing place it was."

When Tommy Morgan fired Cheshunt ahead with a free kick that bobbled up off the bumpy ground, completely deceiving keeper Wayne Shaw, Eastleigh could easily have surrendered to the conditions.

But, to their credit, they fought back to level 1-1 when Forbes met Ashford's deep free kick with a back-post header, setting up McAllister for an easy finish.

After soacking up some Cheshunt pressure early in the second half, Eastleigh went ahead on 57 minutes with a terrific Forbes header from Martin Thomas's high cross. But back came the home side, catching Robbie Marshall and Chris Collins square with a long ball over the top, which was met by a quality finish by Dean Fenton.

Eastleigh dug deep into their reserves of character with McAllister striking again after Forbes' initial effort from Ashford's cross had been parried by the keeper.

Ex-Saint Ashford had the last word with an exquisite free-kick a minute from time - his fourth goal in three games.

Eastleigh are today expected to complete the signing of wing-back Shaun Dyke from Winchester City, while Forbes and new signing Alex Haddow are in the Ryman Select squad to play an FA XI next month.