EASTLEIGH 0 TRANMERE ROVERS 2.

EASTLEIGH produced a performance brimming with energy, workrate and desire at home to National League promotion chasers Tranmere Rovers this afternoon.

But unfortunately for the Spitfires, a vastly improved showing was still not good enough to break their home hoodoo as two second-half goals extended their win-less run at the Silverlake Stadium to nine games, stretching back to October 25.

Targetman Craig McAllister – back for his fourth spell as a Spitfire – was drafted straight into the starting line-up, while Ayo Obileye replaced central defender Reda Johnson who had picked up a hip injury during Tuesday’s dismal defeat to Braintree.

Wideman Ross Stearn was restored to the starting line-up, while young Chinua Cole and Ben Close took time out on the bench.

Stearn’s value to the side was evident after just 50 seconds when he swung in an excellent low cross from the right, seeking out McAllister, and forcing under-pressure Tranmere skipper Steve McNulty to clear for a corner.

The passion that Eastleigh had been crying out for on Valentine’s Day was very much in evidence in the opening exchanges and, following their second corner of the game, ex-Tranmere defender Adam Dugdale headed over from Sam Muggleton cross.

With the visitors’ defence looking none too comfortable, Stearn fired another shot across their bows - his 25-yard strike screeching just past keeper Scott Davies’ left-hand post.

Tranmere were devoid of chances until Eastleigh conceded two free-kicks in dangerous areas in the space of two minutes.

The first, a Jeff Hughes delivery from the left, was met by a bullet Michael Ihiekwe header just over, and the second was steered narrowly wide by Jack Dunn from 20 yards.

With Tranmere warming to the task, Lois Maynard blazed a volley just over after Dugdale had headed away Lee Vaughan’s cross and then came their clearest opportunity to date when Andy Cook met Ben Tollitt’s cross with a free downward header that bounced just post the far post.

The good and bad of Eastleigh was demonstrated in the 27th minute when Hakeem Odiffin’s persistence forced another corner. But, when it broke down, they were caught by a lightning-fast Tranmere break which, thankfully for the Spitfires, ended with Dunn blazing a shot wildly over.

Vaughan threatened again for Birkenhead visitors on 37 minutes, scampering forward from right-back and whistling a shot just over Graham Stack’s crossbar from a tight angle.

After a stop-start spell, Eastleigh were caught out by a simple ball over the top that picked out James Norwood. The former Forest Green man took a touch to control it and looked certain to score, but Stack intervened with an heroic one-on-one save to get the Spitfires off the hook.

Half-time: Eastleigh 0 Tranmere Rovers 0

The absorbing first-half action continued after the break with a jaw-dropping long throw by Muggleton forcing Tranmere to scramble the ball behind the far post for yet another Eastleigh corner.

Norwood then flashed a shot just wide at the other end before Eastleigh forced a couple more corners, courtesy of exciting young widemen Mekhi Leacock-McLeod and Odoffin – the second of which resulted in panic stations for Tranmere when Davies failed to deal with Stearn’s delivery.

That was followed by mayhem at the other end with referee Constantine Hatzidakis allowing play to go on after Muggleton, having been dispossessed, attempted to rugby tackle his man – a crime for which he was eventually booked. Tranmere’s pressure resulted in a corner from which McNulty thumped a header against the woodwork.

As a breathless spell of football continued, McAllister’s header from Odiffin’s deep cross was brilliantly saved by Davies down by his right-hand post and it seemed only a matter of time before the deadlock would be broken.

Alas for Eastleigh, it was the visitors who drew first blood from the very next attack.

Maynard drove at the home defence before laying the ball off for, of all people, former Portsmouth man TOLLITT to slot home.

Eastleigh boss Martin Allen responded with a double substitution, sending on James Constable and Sam Matthews in place of Wilson and Leacock-McLeod.

The Spitfires defended heroically as the visitors went in search of second. Dunn dragged one chance wide from the edge of the area and then, after Obileye had been booked for tripping Norwood, his goalbound free-kick was headed behind by Constable.

Norwood was then picked out by another ball over the top and there were sighs of relief from the Eastleigh faithful as he struck his effort across goal and wide.

McAllister, who had soldiered on with a thigh problem, was replaced by Cole as Allen made his last roll of the dice, but the next time a chance came Norwood’s way, he buried it.

Tollitt did the legwork with a powerful run down the left and, on reaching the box, he tucked it inside for NORWOOD to rifle home and effectively kill the game with four minutes remaining.

Eastleigh: Graham Stack, Hakeem Odoffin, Sam Muggleton, Ben Strevens, Ayo Obileye, Adam Dugdale, Mekhi Leacock-McLeod (Sam Matthews, 65), Sam Togwell, Scott Wilson (James Constable, 65), Craig McAllister (Chinua Cole, 81), Ross Stearn. Subs (not used): Ryan Clarke, Ben Close.

Referee: Constantine Hatzidakis.

Attendance: 2,475