Boreham Wood won for the first time in three matches, with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Eastleigh at Meadow Park.
The Wood dominated the 90 minutes, but had to battle hard as they struggled to break down Eastleigh’s stubborn defence.
However, with just over 10 minutes to go, Bruno Andrade popped up in the box to crack home a vital winner
Keiran Murtagh returned to the Boreham Wood starting line-up, slotting into midfield with Mark Ricketts; Tom Champion dropped back into the back three and Ricky Shakes sat behind the strikers.
There was a fast-paced start to the match, with Wood manager Luke Garrard calling for another reaction from his side, following the impressive draw with Gateshead.
Danny Woodards returned at left-wing back and looked to provide an attacking spark, he cut inside and breezed past three defenders before the laying the ball to Kane Smith, whose shot was blocked.
It was Dan Holman’s third match in a Wood shirt and there were clear signs of a partnership forming between him and Andrade. The duo played a sweet one-two, with Holman releasing the forward through on goal, but Ross Flitney was out to collect.
The Wood were growing ever dominant, and Dave Stephens nodded a corner into the path of Murtagh, but the midfielder’s strike was blocked.
Holman then slipped through Shakes, who dragged the ball across the goalmouth, with Eastleigh able to clear.
The home side would have been ahead on 25 minutes, were it not for an excellent save from Flitney, Holman was found by a perfect through ball from Murtagh, but the stopper somehow saved his low strike.
Garrard’s side then went close again a minute later, Andrade’s curled free-kick was dropped by Flitney and Smith pounced, but the ‘keeper clawed it away.
There was more frustration seconds later, Andrade cut inside and fired a shot at goal and Flitney pushed it back into the path of the forward, but he could only poke wide.
Murtagh collected the ball from Holman and launched a strike from 25-yards, but it sailed narrowly over the bar.
The prolonged spell of possession for the Wood continued; Andrade danced past two defenders and curled a shot at goal, but Flitney saved.
Mark Yates cut inside as Eastleigh looked to get back into the game, but he could only brush the crossbar with his long-range strike.
With half-time approaching, the home side were desperate not to go in level, and Andrade sizzled a powerful strike inches past the post from 20-yards.
Stephens headed an Andrade free kick onto Holman, who cut down the left and struck, but Callum Howe blocked.
Eastleigh returned from the break a different side, and skipper Howe headed wide from close range after a clever cross into the penalty area from Mark Yeates.
The visitor’s free kick was then sliced across goal by Murtagh, before a scramble in the box, but Holman eventually cleared.
Danny Hollands tried his luck from range, thumping the ball from 25-yards and Grant Smith was unable to hold, but he reacted well to gather.
The Wood then broke the deadlock on the 78th minute, a perfect ball from Murtagh was met by Andrade who thumped into the bottom corner on the turn.
A dangerous free kick from Yates on the edge of the area could have troubled the home side, but Dean Wells headed clear to claim all three points.
Boreham Wood: G Smith, K Smith, Champion, Stephens, Wells, Woodards, Murtagh, Ricketts, Shakes, Andrade (78), Holman (Jeffers 72)
Subs not used: Benson, Turley, Thomas, Turgott
Eastleigh: Flitney, Obileye, Boyce, Howe, Wood, Constable (McAllister 79), Hollands, Miley, Yates, McSheffrey (Strevens 45), Zebroski (Williamson 68)
Subs not used: Greens, Stearn
Attendance: 404 (64 away)
Goals: Andrade 78’
