Wood were made to settle for a point in Hampshire against a well-organised Eastleigh side, despite taking the lead in the second half through Charlie O’Connell, before being undone by a late equaliser from Temi Eweka.

After his Man of the Match display in Tuesday night’s National League Cup win against Newcastle U21s, Luke Garrard started with Farhaan Ali Wahid instead of Danny Cashman as the only change from the last league game, the win against Carlisle United a week ago.

It was a quiet first half, with both sides offering plenty of endeavour but not a lot of quality. Wood controlled possession for most of the half but were unable to offer a great deal going forward against a determined Spitfires defence. Tarryn Allarakhia had the game’s first chance on 21 minutes following some good approach play from James Clarke and Zak Brunt, but his goal-bound effort was well blocked by Temi Eweka. Oli Bainbridge’s shot from the follow-up went just wide.

Eastleigh started to grow more into the game as the half went on and, on 33 minutes, they had their first effort of the game when Nick Akoto played in Nelson Khumbeni, whose shot was blocked by Charlie O’Connell. Seven minutes later, Akoto’s cross was met by Josh Lundstram, who fired just over the bar.

HT: EASTLEIGH 0 BOREHAM WOOD 0

The second half was a much better game. Boreham Wood brought Jay Bird on at the break to replace the injured Matt Rush and he had a good chance five minutes after the restart but screwed his shot wide. Three minutes later, Harry Sidwell had a good chance for the Spitfires, but his effort was blocked by Chris Bush. Farhaan Ali Wahid had an excellent opportunity on 54 minutes following some good approach play from Allarakhia, but struck his effort wide when well placed. Two minutes later, an excellent Eastleigh move involving Aaron Blair and Max Dickov created a chance for Lundstram, but he miscontrolled the ball before getting a shot away and Tom White was there to mop up.

On 62 minutes, James Clarke had a good chance at the back post following a cross from Ali Wahid which deflected off the goalkeeper into Clarke’s path, but he screwed it wide. Wood got their reward on 67 minutes when an inch-perfect free-kick from Regan Booty found the head of Charlie O’Connell, and his pinpoint header gave Spitfires keeper Josh Jeffries no chance. It was O’Connell’s first goal of the season and, incredibly, it was only the third time so far this season Wood have scored the opening goal of a league match.

Wood continued to threaten for the next period of the game but were unable to create anything else. The hosts started to show some spirit and Blair fired over from a good position on 79 minutes. The Spitfires equalised on 84 minutes when Temi Eweka finished well from close range. Blair nearly added a second goal two minutes later, but his deflected shot was kept out by Luca Gunter.

The hosts looked more likely to grab a winner in the final few minutes, but Wood held out for a point.

Wood have an important week coming up, with Scunthorpe United away on Wednesday night and Harrogate Town at home on Saturday.

Eastleigh: Jeffries, Akoto (Randall 78), Johnson, Eweka, Dobson-Ventura, Sidwell, Lundstram, Cousins. Dickow (Rankine 78), Khumbeni, Blair

Subs not used: Bakare, Hawkins, Stone, Ghadour

Boreham Wood: Gunter, Clarke, Bainbridge, Bush, O’Connell, White, Brunt, Booty, Allarakhia, Ali Wahid (Richardson 80), Rush (Bird 46)

Subs not used: Curd, Cashman, Golden, Marshall-Miranda, Kensdale,

Man of the Match: Tom White

Written by Brett Lewis.