Eastleigh are preparing to smash their league attendance record tonight when they welcome Bristol Rovers in the Vanarama Conference.

Almost 3,000 fans are set to pack out the Silverlake Stadium for the all-ticket glamour match against the former Football League mainstays.

The crowd will shatter the current home league attendance record of 2,283 that went to the Conference South match against AFC Wimbledon in 2009.

It will also beat the biggest league attendance the Spitfires have ever played in front of – the 2,692 who watched Wrexham beat Eastleigh 3-0 three days ago.

It is a week when it truly hits home how far the Stoneham Lane side have come.

Eastleigh sit just a few points off the play-off places in the non-league elite, but little more than a decade ago were playing Wessex level football – a climb of five divisions.

Last season they averaged crowds of about 650 as they stormed to Conference South title – another landmark in the club’s history.

That humble past is in huge contrast to where they are now.

Developments at their base mean they will soon be capable of hosting 5,500 supporters.

This term they have averaged gates of 1,416 at home – a massive 117 per cent increase on 2013/14.

“It’s amazing,” said team boss Richard Hill. “We have to remember we are actually playing at this level.

“You can look at it how far the club have come, but you can’t use it as an excuse for not winning a game of football because of that.”

Tickets are still available for tonight. Call the ticket office on 023 8061 3361 for more information.