Eastleigh’s play-off hopes took a knock today as they were beaten away for the first time in 2015 2-1 to high-fliers Grimsby Town in the Vanarama Conference at Blundell Park.

It wasn’t exactly a humdinger on Humberside, but Ollie Palmer, who scored the goal in the 1-0 win against the Spitfires in January at the Silverlake Stadium, poked in the first on 13 minutes.

Mariners substitute and top-scorer Lenell John-Lewis doubled their lead on 77 minutes before Jamie Turley bundled in a 90th minute consolation.

It all turned ugly late on as first Deon Burton was red carded for his part in an on-field debacle and Eastleigh manager Richard Hill was dismissed to the changing rooms by the referee as it became ill-tempered.

Brian Howard, Craig Stanley and Dan Spence replaced Craig McAllister and Will Evans, who dropped to the bench, and the suspended Jai Reason in three Eastleigh changes.

The Mariners made one change with Christian Jolley coming in for Jack Mackreth while John-Lewis had to make do with a place on the bench after returning from a week’s paternity leave. The Spitfires came out the traps quickly with their confidence running high away from home after four straight wins on their travels.

Some excellent build-up allowed the visitors to produce the first shot of the game.

As Stanley picked up the ball on the edge of the box the experienced midfielder poked an effort at the middle of the goal for stopper James McKeown to catch above his head.

Grimsby came out of that period unscathed and were ahead on 13 minutes as they took the initiative.

That man Palmer, the loanee from Mansfield, a towering, powerful centre-back’s nightmare, was on target from close range.

Carl Magnay’s cross from the right to the back post was tipped away by Ross Flitney, but only into the path of Jolley.

The winger shot, but the sprawling Eastleigh rearguard on the line pushed it away as far as Palmer, who had the relatively simple job of slotting round Dean Beckwith and Spence on the line. From there the Mariners had Eastleigh harpooned.

Palmer was Eastleigh’s nemesis again on 26 minutes as he burst through from a punt forward by centre-back Shaun Pearson.

However, on this occasion, he could only shoot weakly at Flitney, who could gather in with ease.

The half finished with the Grimsby in the driving seat.

Eastleigh were short of width with neither Ben Strevens or Brian Howard even attempting to beat their full-back on either flank.

The start of the second period was disjointed.

The Spitfires wasted a decent chance on 56 minutes as a Howard shot from a Harry Pell free-kick deep on the left soared harmlessly some distance over the bar.

Pell, who’s a former Grimsby player, then curled over the bar from another free-kick in front of goal from 30 yards on the hour.

Manager Hill then threw his dice introducing with 21 minutes left Burton, Dan Walker and Craig McAllister.

Despite looking a bit sharper after the change, an irresistible move ended any hopes of any Eastleigh comeback on 77 minutes.

Craig Disley dinked through a fabulous ball to Palmer running into the box on the right. He squared it to John-Lewis who had to bites of the cherry before he slipped it beyond Flitney at the near post.

McAllister then tested McKeown with a glanced header but it was held well and it marked the last chance of a gloomy afternoon for the Spitfires.

Burton was then saw straight red as a melee happened in the box. Hill was then sent-off before Turley ran onto a hopeful ball forward to bundle home to make it 2-1.

Attendance: 4,034 Eastleigh support: 51 Eastleigh: Flitney, Spence, Green, Beckwith, Stanley, Constable (Burton 69), Midson (McAllister 69), Strevens, Howard (Walker 69), Turley, Pell. Subs (not used): Evans, Partington.