ASSISTANT boss Jason Bristow wants Eastleigh to produce the same “effort and application” at Havant & Waterlooville on Boxing Day (3pm) as they did against Harrogate Town yesterday.

Despite falling behind after just 65 seconds, the Spitfires bounced back to beat third-placed Harrogate 2-1 with goals from Ben Williamson and sub Cav Miley to remain three points outside the Vanarama National League play-off zone.

Williamson’s 27th-minute equaliser was a deserved reward for some fluent attacking play by Eastleigh in the second quarter of the match.

But the second half was all about the Spitfires getting stuck in defensively and keeping Harrogate chances to a minimum, even though the high-riding visitors had the bulk of the play.

When a rare Eastleigh opening presented itself with 82 minutes gone, super sub Miley took it with aplomb, expertly bending the ball past advancing keeper James Belshaw. 

It crowned the Spitfires' first home win since beating Boreham Wood 1-0 on September 25.

“It was two different halves for us today,” summed up Ben Strevens' right-hand man Bristow.

“The first half we moved the ball around well and created a lot of chances from open play. We’d been working hard on a different shape and looked a very good side.

“Second half we didn’t see too much of the ball. We rushed it a bit and gave the ball away a bit too easily.

“But, that said, we didn’t concede too many chances. We showed a different side of our game, throwing bodies on the line. Our attitude and application was first class.

“It was great for Cav (Miley) to come on and get the winner. Our change in shape dictated a change in personnel and Cav, who has been starting games, was on the bench, so I was delighted for him."

Eastleigh have another loan goalkeeper lined up to replace Max Stryjek, who is returning to his parent club Sunderland.

The paperwork is due to be completed in time for Boxing Day’s trip to face Lee Bradbury's Hawks at Westleigh Park (3pm).

“It’s going to be a tough game, local derbies always are, and Havant have picked up of late,” said Bristow.

“Form goes out of the window in games like that and, for us, it’s all about applying the same effort and attitude as today.”

Havant, 19th, banked a good point in a 1-1 draw at Hartlepool United yesterday, but had in-form striker Alfie Rutherford stretchered off with suspected ankle ligament damage and also lost skipper Brian Stock to injury.

Winchester-born Stock, 37, is quitting the Hawks early in the new year to take up a coaching position with his old club AFC Bournemouth.

He has played an instrumental part in Havant’s rise to non-League’s top tier, captaining the side to two promotions in the last two years.