This thrilling game between third and first saw the leaders Eastleigh edge closer to the title while Bromley slipped further back into the play off pack with only one point from their last four league games.

In front of a great crowd the game got off to a lightening fast start with Bradley Goldberg hitting the bar and Joe Welch making a great save at the other end.

Brendan Kiernan had an effort saved by Ross Flitney and also headed a Jay May cross wide as The Ravens edged the play.

Eastleigh though showed their leaders credentials when with their first real chance they took the lead on 16 minutes as Ben Wright crashed home a volley from the edge of the box.

Eastleigh had the better of things for a while before Bromley battled back late in the half with Pierre Joseph Dubois having a great shot from a tight angle tipped over by Flitney.

Then in first half jury time The Ravens drew level when May was fouled on the by-line, Kiernan delivered the perfect free kick for Rob Swaine to powerfully head home.

The second half saw Bromley start well again, but as in the first half The Spitfires grabbed their first real chance and went in front on 56 minutes after Swaine clumsily brought down Yemi Odubade in the area.

Wright comfortably tucked away the spot kick to put the Champions Elect back in front. Bromley fought back again with Danny Waldren having an effort tipped over by Flitney, Dubois shooting wide and then also missing a good chance from a Swaine knock down.

The Ravens continued to press with Elliott Buchanan forcing a smart save from Flitney at his near post, but despite finishing the game on top Mark Goldberg’s men were unable to find a way through.

Bromley will now have to find a way of turning chances into goals to build some momentum into the play offs, while Full time professional Eastleigh looked a quality side playing with an intensity and power very few teams can match at this level.

Bromley: Welch, Poolley, Anderson, Swaine, Bailey-Dennis (Buchanan 74), Dubois, Waldren, Nicholls, Kiernan (Dennis 63), May (Reid 82), Goldberg.

Subs not used: Fuseini, Holland.

Eastleigh: Flitney, Spence, Green, Strevens, Beckwith, Todd, Reason, Southam, McAllister (Odubade 45), Wright, Fleetwood (Wishart 40).

Subs not used: Nice, Evans, Dillon.

Goals: Staines – Bromley – Swaine 45mins, Eastleigh – Wright 16 & 56mins.

Match Rating:  5/5

Star Man: Ross Flitney (Eastleigh)

Referee: Mr Rock

Att:  1,011

Pictures supplied by Ed Boyden.