Eastleigh are succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Grimsby Town in their Conference Premier playoff semi-final first leg at the Silverlake Stadium.

Paul Hurst's charges were quickest off the starting blocks as Scott Brown whipped a cross in towards Shaun Pearson, but the defender struck his header over the bar.

That miss wouldn't prove too costly for Grimsby because they went on to take the lead just moments later, Nathan Arnold latching on to a loose ball 20 yards out and lofting a half-volley over Ross Flitney and into the Eastleigh net.

The Mariners had several chances to add to their tally following their goal as Arnold charged into the box and forced a save from Flitney, before Ollie Palmer fired against the post from six yards out.

Eastleigh managed to keep Grimsby at bay as the game went on and began to exert pressure of their own in the latter stages of the first half, but weren't able to find an equaliser come the break.