PAUL Doswell reckons the Eastleigh management team have not had the credit they deserve for leading the side to third place.

Unlike Monday's visitors, Salisbury City (12 noon kick-off), the Sparshatts Stadium club have quickly made themselves at home since coming up from the Dr Martens Eastern Division.

Prior to Saturday's freak 5-1 collapse at Hampton & Richmond Borough, where they had goalkeeper Wayne Shaw and defensive rock Rob Marshall sent off, Doswell's men had strung together a formidable run of just one defeat in 14 league games.

"We've strengthened in the right areas - particularly midfield with Martin Thomas and Danny Smith," said Doswell.

"Credit needs to go to us for what we've done with the squad. People point to the money, but our budget's not that big any more and people don't seem to realise the hard work that goes in.

"It's helped that we've had stability on the management side, but to be sitting third with all the injury problems we've had is fantastic."

Last season there was little to choose between Eastleigh and Salisbury, but the fifth-to-bottom Wiltshire club have been left way behind this term.

"With the squad and the crowds Salisbury have got, I thought they would have done well again this season, but this is a hard league," said Doswell.

"The higher you go, the more physically strong you've got to be and that's why getting Martin and Danny was so important to us.

"Hampton smacked the ball from back to front very quickly. It's not my way of playing, but they're very good at what they do. A lot of the London teams play that way because they've got so much pace up front.

"We've really found our feet in this league now, but I don't think Salisbury are out of the play-off equation yet. It's still wide open and, if they can string four or five wins together after playing us, they could quickly climb the league like we have."

With Chris Collins (knee) and Danny Rofe (hamstring/tonsilitis) both out, Eastleigh's biggest problems are in defence. Skipper Marshall is available for the next two games, but they will lose him for the bulk of January while he is away in Australia.

Nicky Banger should be on the bench after back/hamstring trouble as will new goalkeeping signing Lee Webber, who was not named among the subs at Hampton.

"That's the last time I don't put a second keeper on the bench," pledged Doswell. "We had two or three injury doubts at Hampton, so I went with outfield players instead. It was a big mistake, but hindsight's a wonderful thing."

Monday marks the official opening of the interior of Eastleigh's new stand.

It's hoped ex-Saints striker Peter Osgood will join Alan Ball as chief guest of honour.