Eastleigh 1, Cheshunt 0

JAMES STOKOE'S first half goal enabled Eastleigh to climb to tenth place in the Rymans League Premier Division table with this win at a wet and windy Sparshatts Stadium on Wednesday night.

It wasn't a goal to remember, as the lanky striker scrambled the ball home from just six yards but scuffed the shot and injured his ankle in the process.

There were chances galore for both teams as the conditions made life difficult for defenders in particular. But the pitch remained virtually unscarred at the end - a tribute to groundsman Bill Loosemore and his staff.

The visitors should have scored twice early on but seldom looked like a team which had only just surrendered the league leadership.

Eastleigh came back, and they too were guilty of missed chances with Danny Smith hitting the bar when it seemed easier to score from close range.

Colin Matthews made a vital save on the stroke of half-time to keep the home side in front, with the prospect of playing into the gale after the break.

But, although Cheshunt huffed and puffed, they created very little and Eastleigh were able to play out time without too many alarms.

Indeed, Stokoe might have added a second but pulled his shot wide when through on goal.

Leyton 2, Eastleigh 2

Eastleigh surrendered a two goal lead last Saturday, but still came away with a point from their East London hosts.

They took the lead after 17 minutes when the home keeper failed to grab the ball and left James Stokoe with an open goal.

Things got even better six minutes later when Stokoe set up Nicky Banger to score with a well struck shot. But Leyton pulled a goal back before half time when Danny Jones converted a cross from the left.

They equalised on 71 minutes when Williams converted a more difficult chance than one he had missed earlier. Only a goalline clearance from Sam Wyeth then kept out Thompson as the home team had more chances to win the game.

Eastleigh had Danny Rofe sent off for an off the ball incident in the 87th minute.