EASTLEIGH gave themselves a major confidence boost ahead of the new Vanarama National League season by beating League Two visitors Barnet 3-2 tonight.

Watched by a 527 crowd, the Spitfires led by an Ayo Obileye goal at half-time – the big defender meeting a 26th-minute cross from fellow new arrival Jake Howells and drilling the ball home at the back post.

After Mikael Mandron had had a ‘goal’ disallowed for offside, Eastleigh legitimately doubled their advantage with a 30-yard effort from another summer signing, Scott Wilson, which beat goalkeeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle at his near post on 48 minutes.

The Bees responded just after the hour when Joe Payne tapped in John Louis Akpa Akpro’s low delivery but, come the 81st minute, Chris Todd’s Spitfires had restored their two-goal lead.

Ross Lafayette, on as a half-time substitute, latched onto a long ball, took it round the keeper and rolled it home for 3-1.

Barnet had the last word when Frenchman Akpa Akpro was teed up by Jack Taylor’s 89th-minute cross, but Eastleigh held strong for their sixth win of a highly satisfying pre-season campaign.

Another big test awaits the Spitfires on Saturday (3pm) when Northampton Town, the newly-promoted League Two champions, visit the Silverlake.

AFC Totton’s 5-0 win at Brockenhurst was polished off by a goal from 38-year-old ex-Saint Pedro ‘Pele’ Monteiro, who will manage the Stags’ under-16s this season as part of the link-up with Matthew Le Tissier Natural Coaching.

Le Tiss was tickled by Pele’s scoring prowess, tweeting: “We’ve just rejected a 2 million bid from @FCBarcelona for our goal-scoring coach @pedro_pele25 @AFC Totton.”

Nathaniel Sherborne struck twice to help the Stags on their way and returning midfielder Dave Allen was also on target.

Pleasingly there was a second goal in two games for young Callum Hellyer, a graduate of Totton’s under-16s.

Having won all four friendlies to date, Totton will be out for victory number five at home to Lymington Town on Thursday (7.45pm).

Salisbury pulled in a 691 crowd for the visit of League Two outfit Yeovil Town.

Former Otterbourne striker Tommy Wright, who has joined the Whites on a season-long loan from Sutton United, cancelled Ryan Hedges’ early Glovers’ opener.

But two quick second-half goals from Hedges and Tom Eave made it 3-1 to the visitors before Lewis Benson’s 90th-minute free kick forced an own goal from Yeovil’s Josh Ezewelle.