EASTLEIGH boss Andy Hessenthaler has called on the Vanarama National League to rethink the fixture format.

While Hessenthaler was thrilled to beat his old club Dover Athletic 2-1 at The Crabble yesterday – Eastleigh’s third win of a hectic start to the season – victory is feared to have come at a price.

Ben Williamson, scorer of the Spitfires’ 19th-minute opener, was withdrawn on the hour mark with a hamstring injury.

Eastleigh were already without Chris Zebroski, who was also feeling a hamstring and wasn’t well either, and goalkeeper Graham Stack (shoulder) is also doubtful for tomorrow's second game of a demanding bank holiday programme at home to Ebbsfleet United (Monday, 3pm).

Hessenthaler reflected afterwards: “It’s always good to beat a former club, but it may have come at a cost.

“It looks like Ben has done his hamstring again and that’s a big blow. He was electric today and scored a fantastic goal.”

Having tested Dover keeper Mitch Walker as early as the sixth minute,Williamson eventually slammed the ball past him from Cav Miley’s cross to round off a fine team move.

That lead was doubled on 37 minutes when Josh Hare provided the pin-point delivery for Paul McCallum to head in his fourth of the season.

Stack kept Dover at bay early in the second half and, when he was beaten on 53 minutes, Nortei Nortey’s header rattled the post.

The Kent hosts eventually pulled one back on 65 minutes when Mitch Brundle volleyed home, but Eastleigh held out despite a scare when fit-again Joey Jones cleared Jack Connors’ shot off the line.

The Spitfires could have struck late themselves, but sub James Constable raced clear and skewed the ball wide.

Hessenthaler’s elation at the final whistle was tempered by the prospect of getting his wafer-thin squad fit and ready to face Ebbsfleet today.

He said: “The schedule’s a joke.

"Next Saturday (away to Harrogate Town) will be eight games from August 4 to September 1.

“To play that amount of games in that space of time is crazy when you’ve only got a small squad like we have - and like most teams in this league have. It wouldn’t happen in the Premier League.

“The league have got to look at the format. I can assure you every manager is saying the same.”

Eastleigh will have defender Andrew Boyce back available tomorrow after a one-match ban but, on top of doubts over Williamson, Zebroski and Stack, loanee George Dowling has been back with his parent club Bristol City being treated for a hip problem.

With the squad already fully stretched, young guns Ollie Dennett and Callum Baughan were unused subs at Dover.

Eastleigh: Graham Stack, Josh Hare, Michael Green, Joey Jones, Reda Johnson, Alex Wynter, Cav Miley, Oscar Gobern, Paul McCallum, Ben Williamson (James Constable, 58), Mark Yeates (Danny Hollands, 85). Subs (not used): Ross Flitney, Ollie Dennett, Callum Baughan.

Attendance: 844.

Referee: Will Finnie.