Eastleigh are without a recognised striker for tonight's big Hampshire Senior Cup date at Havant & Waterlooville following yet another unlucky break in the camp.

Just as Paul Sales hovers on the brink of a comeback after breaking his leg during the summer, his young deputy, James Stokoe, is in plaster with a fractured ankle sustained against Cheshunt last week.

With Nicky Banger on holiday until Friday and Andy Forbes still a week or so away from first-team action after a double calf operation, it leaves manager Paul Doswell devoid of specialist attacking cover to face Dave Leworthy's out-of-sorts Conference South side at Westleigh Park.

Yet, despite their frontline misfortunes, Eastleigh were deadly in front of goal during Saturday's 4-2 home win over Northwood, which moved them fourth in the Ryman Premier Division.

"In terms of ability, it was our best performance - and three out of the four goals were absolute stunners," said Doswell.

Christer Warren got the fireworks started early with a cracking 25-yard volley in the fifth minute and then Danny Smith made it two with a scorcher from the edge of the box.

Northwood's Jonny Moore deflected Tyronne Bowers's cross past his own keeper to put Eastleigh 3-0 up before Steve Hale reduced the deficit for the Middlesex side.

Bowers - the sponsors' man-of-the-match - thundered in Eastleigh's fourth from 25 yards and the last word went to Northwood's Dean Clark, who had earlier had a penalty saved by keeper Colin Matthews.

Doswell reflected: "Salisbury's manager Nick Holmes was at the match and said it was a 'delight to watch', which was nice to hear.

"Nicky Banger was magnificent up front and David Hughes directed play from just in front of the back four.

"To be sitting fourth in the league with all the problems we've had is fantastic. I don't think many clubs could have coped with the injuries we've had."

Along with their frontline absentees, Eastleigh have three other major players ruled out of tonight's tie - Martin Thomas (hamstring), David Hughes (gashed calf) and Rob Marshall (broken hand).