MIDFIELDER Jai Reason paid tribute to manager Richard Hill in the wake of Eastleigh’s gut-wrenching penalty shootout defeat at Dover Athletic on Saturday.

The Spitfires played out of their skin to win 2-0 on the day and level the Blue Square Bet South play-off semi-final 3-3 on aggregate only to crash 4-2 on penalties.

But the disappointment of defeat should not deflect from Eastleigh’s outstanding achievement of actually reaching the play-offs, having started the new year second to bottom of the table.

Hill, who took over last September after Ian Baird had paid the price for a disappointing start to the campaign, endured some early teething troubles – particularly away from home.

But once he had rectified Eastleigh’s defensive problems with the signings of goalkeeper Ross Flitney and central defensive trio Chris Todd, Dean Beckwith and (Luton loanee) Alex Lacey, there was no stopping the Spitfires.

“There are no words to describe what Richard Hill’s done here,” said former Ipswich and Braintree man Reason.

“If we’d had this team and management at the start of the season, it would have been a different story.

“He’s got good motivation and he knows his players and how to get the best out of them.

“He’s a very good tactician too and that showed today.

“We came here with a game plan and we did it.

“Penalties are pot luck, but the boys gave everything today and I can’t be more proud of them.

“The fans were great too, they’ve been unbelievable all season.”

Dover boss Chris Kinnear, who is looking to lead his side back to the Conference National after more than a decade’s absence, was impressed by his side’s mental strength in coping with a torrent of Eastleigh pressure.

“I did fear the worst for the lads at one point, but they were magnificent,” he said after Eastleigh’s ex-Crabble man Glen Southam and Damian Scannell had wiped out Dover’s 3-1 first-leg lead.

“The lads were mentally strong and were all as one,” he added.

“Before extra time I told them I trusted them and that we could win this game. We did not even discuss penalties”

Complimenting Eastleigh, Kinnear added: “They are a big, strong side with full-time players and have lots of experience. They were great today and had nothing to lose.”