DESPITE an improved Eastleigh performance, goals at the end of each half gave Billericay a decisive victory to leap-frog above them and into third place in the Ryman League - Premier Division.

The loss of Paul Sales through injury after 23 minutes was a major factor, as it occurred just as Eastleigh were beginning to dominate.

The pitch was very heavy and badly cut up in places, and persistent rain didn't exactly set the scene for Eastleigh's flowing passing game.

Billericay dominated the first 20 minutes with their more direct style and Nathan Elder was a constant menace to the Eastleigh defence. Keeper Wayne Shaw was in the thick of the action, despite having to endure some taunting from the home crowd.

After Sales pulled up with a recurrence of his thigh injury, Nicky Banger came on as his replacement and Eastleigh enjoyed their best spell of the match. Banger had a 'goal' disallowed after Martin Thomas's shot was saved by Gothard, and the home keeper also saved well from Thomas; Banger shot wide with Andy Forbes well-placed.

First-half injury time proved to be the turning point. Neil Cousins reacted quickly to nudge Leon Hunter's cross past Shaw for the opener, and Shaw was forced to save at full stretch from Jamie Dormer.

In doing so he collided with a post, and had to be led from the field at half-time suffering from blurred vision. He was replaced by Lee Webber at the break.

Webber was busy in the second half, with Adam James coming to his rescue on one occasion with a header off the line.

The bog in the Billericay goalmouth was proving to be an inpenetrable obstacle, even to Forbes, and sub Ross Wareham sealed the victory when he headed home at the far post.

Eastleigh 1 Hampton & Rmd 2

Eastleigh were eliminated from the Bryco Cup in a dramatic finale on Wednesday night.

Eastleigh, without Forbes, Sales and Banger, included former striker Craig McAllister on loan from Stevenage. They fell behind on the half hour when Adrian Allen slotted home.

In the last minute Tyronne Bowers headed home from close range, but Eastleigh's joy was short-lived - Hampton replied almost immediately with Marcello Fernandes scoring from long range with a well struck shot.

The visitors had been reduced to ten men with 15 minutes remaining when Ryan Ashe was shown a straight red for a foul on Ryan Ashford. He was the fifth player to be dismissed in three games between the clubs this season.