Eastleigh boss Paul Doswell has rarely been as proud of his Premier League troops as he was on Wednesday night.

Virtually everything that could go wrong did in the build-up to the 1-1 draw at Windsor & Eton, yet the players responded with a performance brimming with character.

"I'm pretty proud of my boys, I must admit," smiled Doswell, clearly delighted at how his team pulled together in the absence of Paul Sales, Christer Warren, Ryan Ashford, Rob Marshall, Chris Collins and Andy Forbes.

They even coped with having Nicky Banger sent off for retaliation after 56 minutes by wiping out Paul Holsgrove's goal for Windsor with a late strike from substitute Neil Davis.

"We had to hang on a bit and keep working, but everyone came to the party and I was really chuffed," said Doswell.

"We played very well - not in terms of football, perhaps, but it was all hands to the pump."

Eastleigh's two Dannys - Smith and Rofe - came in for particular praise. With typical bravery, Rofe - son of Saints coach Dennis - played on despite having a tooth knocked out by the elbow of Windsor's Keith Scott.

Smith, who needed stitches in a facial wound last week, was again taken out of his normal midfield role and given the job of sweeper.

The former Winchester City skipper is justifying every penny of his four-figure transfer fee and Doswell smiled: "Danny's been brilliant. I love him to death. He won't score 20 goals a season, but he gives you bits and pieces that you can't buy.

"It's the character of him; he's a born winner. So is Martin Thomas and so is David Hughes. Three times we've come back from behind to draw this season and that shows we've got a bit of spirit about us. Anyone who knows me knows that's what my sides are about."

Eastleigh make the trip to Chelmsford City tomorrow and on Monday they welcome Wealdstone to the Sparshatts Stadium.

Salisbury City boss Nick Holmes will be winging his way back from America early next month - but only for a couple of weeks.

The ex-Saints midfielder is due to fly in on September 6, but still has business matters to tie up in Florida before he can move back permanently.

AFC Bournemouth youth coach Mark Kelly, who has taken on the team manager's role in Holmes's absence, admitted: "It'll be good to have him back.

"The lads would like to see him. He's still a very big part of the club and it will be easier for me to talk to him face-to-face than on the phone to America!"

Unbeaten Salisbury, home to Cheshunt tomorrow and away to Slough Town on Monday, still have question marks over Craig Davis (mumps), Scott Barlett (ankle) and Adam Wallace (ankle), who all missed Tuesday's 1-0 win over Kingstonian.

Sean Cook, a summer strike signing from Thatcham Town, is still sidelined with a dislocated shoulder.