MANAGER'S favourite Martin Beck repaid Eastleigh's decision to include him in the starting line-up by blasting the winner in Saturday's 1-0 Ryman Premier success at Staines Town.

The fleet-footed frontman struck on 72 minutes when substitute James Stokoe burst down the right and cut the ball back to Beck, who cracked it into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

Lack of consistency has stopped Beck holding down a regular place in the side, but manager Paul Doswell revealed: "Becky's one of my favourite players. He's been with me from the start, which shows how much I rate him.

"I've always said he's the best substitute in the league. You put him on with half an hour to go and he terrorises people. He excites the crowd and he excites me.

"Recently he's been doing so well that I thought he deserved his chance to start. If he continues to perform, he'll be in the side. If not, he'll be back playing as super sub."

In a wind-affected morning kick-off, Eastleigh threatened as early as 15th second when Nicky Banger smacked the crossbar with a volley from Ryan Ashford's cross.

But Staines, too, had their chances, particularly after the late introduction of ex-Saints striker Craig Maskell.

Doswell admitted: "It was a great result rather than a great performance by us. We had the wind advantage in the first half and I was concerned that we didn't make it count.

"But Rob Marshall and Lee Bright were superb at the back and our keeper, Colin Matthews, was top-drawer. He never looked like he was going to be beaten.

"Despite all the injury problems we've had, that win took us up six places to eighth and we're only two points off third spot."

Typically of Eastleigh's season, they suffered yet more casualties. Ryan Ashford hobbled off with a knee strain, goal hero Beck couldn't continue after having his foot stamped on and Banger suffered the recurrence of sciatica.

Even loan midfielder Jamie Gleeson has been jinxed. He turned his ankle on a treadmill last week and has gone back to Kidderminster Harriers for treatment.

Doswell and director of football Mark Dennis are still desperately trying to get a loan striker in ahead of tomorrow's crunch trip to second-placed Yeading.