Eastleigh 1, Aldershot Town 2

A FIRST away win of the season – and a first ever league victory against Eastleigh, at the seventh attempt – was fine reward for Aldershot Town’s resurgent style and cohesion.

Scott Rendell bundled in the winner to seal a remarkable comeback in five minutes toward the end of a first-half in which The Shots had again played well only to fall behind.

This time, though, they displayed admirable resolve to end managerless Eastleigh’s four-game winning streak.

“From the first to the last second of the game, they were outstanding. To turn it around in the way they did, after going a goal down so early on against an experienced team, was outstanding,” praised Shots boss Gary Waddock. “I was aware that we’d never beaten Eastleigh, but we can put that one to bed now.”

Aldershot Town began positively but it was The Spitfires, led by caretaker manager Ben Strevens following Andy Hessenthaler’s return to Dover Athletic during the week, who nonetheless snatched a fifth-minute lead. Gabe Osho misjudged the flight and bounce of Mark Yeates’ high ball toward the penalty area and Paul McCallum muscled in to stab the ball past Jake Cole.

That, though, was the hosts’ only chance of the half. Adam McDonnell – again impressing in a more advanced role – pulled a shot wide and then deftly set-up McClure to fire a shot across goal. McDonnell’s snapshot was then deflected wide but on 39 minutes he was instrumental in a deserved equaliser.

Lewis Kinsella won the ball superbly in midfield and McDonnell’s driving run allowed him to again find McClure in support to hit a shot which rebounded off the near post and inadvertently into the net via Reda Johnson’s thigh.

Suddenly The Shots were rampant. McDonnell broke through a static defence to reach Kinsella’s lobbed pass but goalkeeper Max Stryjek was off his line to make a strong block. From the resulting corner, however, McDonnell’s whipped delivery was flicked on by Adam May toward the far post, where the ball ricocheted off Rendell and just over the line before Stryjek could smuggle it away.

Two goals in three minutes were followed by a further two half-chances before the break, and half-time came at the wrong time for Aldershot Town.

Cavaghn Miley poked a shot wide on 50 minutes, after Stryjek’s long clearance caught the Shots defence asleep, yet the second period was largely a non-event. Regan Booty curled an angled shot over the bar, but the visitors’ focus was on stifling a one-dimensional Eastleigh attack.

Cole raced off his line to smother the ball at Miley’s feet, and even though in stoppage time Yates had a shot well blocked by Kinsella, and Johnson’s scuffed effort was deflected just past the post, there was nothing to unduly trouble The Shots.

Taking tentative steps back up the National League table, their run of two wins and a draw represents Aldershot Town’s best form since February. Attention turns this weekend to the FA Cup and the prospect of much-needed prize money, but their upturn in league form will be just as pleasing.

Eastleigh: Stryjek; Wynter (Williamson 55), Boyce (Constable 83), Johnson, Miley; Gobern, Jones, Yeates, Green; Zebroski, McCallum. Subs (not used): Flitney, Dennett, Hollands.

Aldershot Town: Cole; McCoy, Osho, Fowler, Kinsella; Booty (Lelan 88), Gallagher (Howell 76), May; McDonnell (Fenelon 65), Rendell, McClure. Subs (not used): Mannion, Holman.

Attendance: 2,349.

*On Saturday, Aldershot Town host Evo-Stik Southern League South Premier Division Central leaders Kettering Town at the EBB Stadium in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup. Up for grabs is a place in the first round proper.