Bromley extended their unbeaten run to ten games with a hard fought 1-0 win over Eastleigh at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night thanks to a first half goal from Chin Okoli and a world class save from Grant Smith in second half injury time.
The match got off to a cagey start before it opened up and play went from end to end, but with few clear chances. Corey Whitely had an effort saved by Joe McDonnell as he latched on to a long ball.
Ben Krauhus also had a shot saved before Lewis Leigh fired over as Bromley began to press. On his full debut Leigh looked very comfortable with a great range of passing and he was complimented by Kido Taylor-Hart in midfield who also showed some great touches.
Krauhus was denied by a superb block from George Langston as he collected a long pass from Byron Webster. Okoli headed a Leigh corner over on the half hour, but three minutes later he connected with another Leight corner and the centre back powered home his header to put The Ravens 1-0 up.
Late in the first half Eastleigh had a good spell of pressure, but Bromley’s defence proved to be too strong to break down.
The second half saw Bromley start on the front foot, Whitely having a shot saved by McDonnell and Callum Reynolds having a header saved from a corner.
Leigh then had a free kick saved by McDonnell and Reynolds saw another header from a corner cleared off the line by Ludwig Francillette.
With The Ravens still pressing Krauhaus was denied by a great tackle from Trent Rendall. As the half went on Eastleigh came back into things with Aiaden Barlow having a shot saved by Smith.
Sub Luka Chalwell had a shot saved by Smith and then fired over as The Spitfires pushed for an equaliser with Smith making a brave challenge at his feet.
Paul McCallum curled a chance wide from just outside the box as the visitors attacked again, but on the break Bromley could have made it two, when Bim Pepple latched on to a long clearance and ran from the half way line before hitting the outside of the post from ten yards out with only McDonnell to beat.
Deep into injury time Eastleigh pushed everyone up for a corner, including McDonnell, and when the ball fell to Chalwell his powerful dipping drive from the edge of the box was superbly tipped over by Smith, reaching behind him to palm the ball above the bar, to preserve the three points for Andy Woodman’s team.
The win keeps Bromley fifth in the National League table ahead of their home game with fourth placed Gateshead on Saturday.
Bromley: Smith, Arthurs, Topalloj, Reynolds, Webster, Okoli, Krauhaus, Whitely, Leigh (Kpekawa 96), Cheek, Taylor-Hart (Pepple 75).
Subs Not Used: Vennings, Miller, Sharman-Lowe.
Eastleigh: McDonnell, Atangana, Francillette, Boldewijn, McCallum, Carter (Nwabuokei 60), Barlow (Chalwell 60), Langston, Rendall, Maguire, Rutherford.
Subs Not Used: Scott, Stock, Bagan.
Goal: Okoli 33mins
Referee: Stephen Parkinson
Attendance: 1733