Tomlinson 90+2 (pen)
BOREHAM W 0
EASTLEIGH keep a play-off destiny in their own hands with a last-gasp penalty winner – although manager Ben Strevens claims the crucial result was ‘harsh’ on Boreham Wood.
Joe Tomlinson held his cool to slot home from the spot in the third minute of time added on after Sam Smart’s desperate late cross had struck a Wood arm.
It continued Eastleigh’s 100% conversion rate from the spot this season and kept Ben Strevens’ men just one point and behind the final play-off place with a game in hand, ahead of crucial trips to Altrincham on Tuesday and Solihull Moors on Saturday. If you’re thinking of having a flutter on the play-offs check out this Coral promotional code.
“It was a massive three points,” a relieved Strevens said.
“It was a difficult game, we knew it would be.
“It’s no surprise that they’ve been in the play-offs two of the last three years.
“There was very little between the sides, it was a real tough one and to say we deserved the win would be harsh on them, but it’s about people stepping up in key moments.”
A total of 1,500 fans made a welcome return to the Silverlake Stadium and helped bring a festival feeling to the place, albeit dampened by a tense and uneventful start.
Wood’s Gus Mafuta kept the home supporters on their toes when his wicked longrange strike on the half hour bounced down off the crossbar to safety, much to the delight of goalkeeper Joe McDonnell.
The best chance of the opening half came for the home side moments before the break. Tomlinson’s marauding run down the right and driven cross saw Tyrone Barnett sweeping towards goal, thwarted only by a brilliant save low to Nathan Ashmore’s right.
McDonnell was called to stop a snapshot from Kabongo Tshimanga but despite a bright end to the first, the second period began devoid of any real quality.
Tyrone Marsh should have given the visitors the lead with just 23 minutes to play but hit a tame strike straight at the keeper from inside the area, before top scorer Tshimanga blasted a chance over too.
Smart came on to replace Danny Hollands as a substitute and he looked busy, stealing the ball in midfield before his pull-back was driven goalwards from close-range by Ben House, only for Ashmore to intervene once again with another stunning stop.
Eastleigh thought they had snatched it moments before they eventually did – the stadium erupting in the final moments of the regulation 90 when defender Pierce Bird tapped the ball home after Ashmore had spilled but the assistant referee’s flag silenced the crowd.
The Silverlake would erupt twice more during additional time though, only this time it counted. Smart’s cross into the box cannoned off a Wood hand inside the area, forcing referee Aaron Jackson to point to the spot.
With a golden opportunity to keep up pace with the playoff pack, Tomlinson struck low passed Ashmore to snatch all three vital points.
STAR MAN: Joe Tomlinson (Eastleigh)
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★☆☆☆
REFEREE: Aaron Jackson
