Seeking to tighten their grip on a playoff semi-final spot in the National League table, Halifax Town travel to face Eastleigh on Monday afternoon.

Meanwhile, there is nothing but pride on the line for the hosts, who have successfully staved off the threat of demotion heading into the final three games of the campaign.

Match preview

With no less than 101 minutes on the clock at The Walks, Eastleigh substitute Michael Kelly converted from the spot to round off a six-goal thriller with King's Lynn Town, who shook hands on a 3-3 stalemate with their counterparts on Saturday afternoon.

Tyrone Barnett and Vincent Harper also made the net ripple for the visitors, who were heading for another defeat after Gold Omotayo put King's Lynn 3-2 to the good in the fifth minute of second half injury time, but left-back Kelly had other ideas as he slotted home from 12 yards.

With their recent hosts down and out alongside Dover Athletic and Weymouth, Eastleigh are simply jostling for position at the lower end of the table as they occupy 19th spot in the rankings, with Barnet four points in the clear and Aldershot Town breathing down their necks.

The 2022-23 preparations should already be in full swing for Lee Bradbury, whose side have now gone five games without a win in the National League and are preparing to welcome opponents with far more on the line in the final weeks of the campaign.

A patch of inconsistent results has threatened to derail Halifax Town's bid for a top-three finish in the National League, but this week's visitors got right back on track with a professional performance to see off the threat of mid-table Yeovil Town at the weekend.

Pete Wild's side had to be patient for the breakthrough in front of their own fans, but an inspired substitution from the boss paid dividends as Zachary Dearnley fired home the game's only goal in the 83rd minute - only a few moments after he had been introduced into the field of play.

Automatic promotion via a first-placed finish is likely now a step too far for Halifax Town, but they are still sitting pretty in third place and are two points clear of Solihull Moors, but they will be wary of a final-day meeting with leaders Stockport County.

Wild's men have failed to post back-to-back victories at all this month and also head into Monday's game having lost three and drawn one of their last four away matches in the National League, but they ran out convincing 4-0 winners over Eastleigh during their previous battle in January.

Team News

Eastleigh came out of their 3-3 draw with King's Lynn largely unscathed, but Bradbury is sure to conduct a thorough fitness check on his crop with only 48 hours in between fixtures this week.

Penalty hero Kelly is an obvious option for change in the wide areas, while Andrew Boyce and Jake Hesketh could also find themselves back in the first XI amid the rapid turnaround.

As for the visiting crop, defender Niall Maher is dealing with an adductor injury and was not fit for the win over Yeovil, which makes his chances of a comeback on Monday very slim indeed.

Fellow centre-back Tom Bradbury is still working his way back from a knee issue and will aim to return to the fold before the season is done and dusted, but Wild is otherwise well-stocked for this encounter.

Dearnley's game-winning contribution against Yeovil could see him rewarded with the opportunity to spearhead the attack, and Wild also has fresh legs in the forms of Jay Benn and Jamie Cooke ready for action.

Eastleigh possible starting lineup:
McDonnell; Camp, Broadbent, Boyce, Kelly; Harper, Hollands, Miley, Pritchard; Hesketh, Whitehall

Halifax Town possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Warren, Benn, Bird, Senior; Gilmour, Cooke, Woods, Warburton; Slew, Dearnley

We say: Eastleigh 0-1 Halifax Town

Halifax's patchy form on the road makes this a difficult proposition for the podium chasers on paper, and enforced changes will also work against both sides on Monday afternoon.

That being said, there is little on the line for Eastleigh having been assured of their safety, and their recent defensive lapses could allow Wild's side to nick a vital win.

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