Jon Parkin hits double figures for 11th season in his career

The master marksman demonstrated his predatory prowess to pounce twice in the six-yard box after fellow forward Vadaine Oliver had helped on long throws from Sean Newton and Simon Heslop.

That took his professional tally to 187 in all competitions and, although at 35 he might be in the twilight of a prolific career, his efficiency in front of goal shows no signs of diminishing with this term the fifth consecutive campaign he has netted more than ten times.

Parkin has now moved on to 11 goals during 2016/17, including efforts for previous club Newport, while his seventh for City saw somebody finally join the long-departed Richard Brodie at the head of the Minstermen’s scoring charts.

The former Championship striker would be the first, however, to praise the legwork of fellow forwards Oliver and Amari Morgan-Smith in any celebration of his longevity.

Parkin has been flanked by the pair, who are both more comfortable in central roles, during the last three games in which he has netted four times.

Both players were indefatigable in this contest, whilst Oliver, in particular, caused Eastleigh real problems on the floor and in the air throughout, deserving his decisive 81st-minute goal after a howler by Kyle Letheren, which is guaranteed to attract countless internet hits and much mirth, gifted the visitors a route back into the game.

City had earlier got off to their customary flying start as Parkin went close with a speculative 35-yard lob before hitting the target twice in the opening 13 minutes.

First, Newton hurled the ball into the box from the left and, with a flick of his head, Oliver found the ex-Hull and Stoke striker at the far post, where he volleyed firmly home from five yards.

After Stearn had fired narrowly over from a free kick, Parkin then prodded past Spitfires keeper Ryan Clarke when the ball bounced up in the six-yard box with Oliver having climbing highest to meet a Heslop throw from the opposite flank.

But, just as City supporters dared to contemplate a comfortable afternoon, Letheren completely missed his attempt to catch a poor inswinging free kick from the left by Stearn and, to heighten his embarrassment, the ball bounced in between his legs on its way to finding the net.

It looked an ominous sign for a host side that have thrown away 22 points from winning positions this season in a meeting of the National League’s two draw specialists.

But Gary Mills’ men displayed great resolve to continue pressing forward with Heslop calling Clarke into action from the edge of the box after another Newton throw was only half-cleared.

Parkin, meanwhile, could not direct a Newton cross on target at the far post and the latter went on to drive too high from distance after Ben Close headed over from eight yards at the other end.

In first-half stoppage time, Oliver went on to blast wide of the near post after being sent clear through the right channel by Heslop.

Contrary to recent matches, the Minstermen maintained the same tempo after the restart.

Newton drilled in a low shot from the left on 47 minutes that was turned around his front post by Clarke and, after away defender Reda Johnson’s unconvincing foray forward ended in an ambitious 25-yard drive that flew over, a firm Oliver edge-of-the-box strike was kept out low to his left by Clarke.

Eastleigh defender Gavin Hoyte went on to make a miraculous clearance off the line after Morgan-Smith shot at goal from four yards out following Newton’s corner.

Hamza Bencherif also headed wide from another flag kick, before the home survived a 67th-minute scare when sub Tyler Garratt thumped Letheren’s left-hand upright from 25 yards and the ball bounced across the line and wide of the opposite post.

But the frame of the visitors’ goal was also tested shortly afterwards when Clarke got his fingertips to a looping Oliver header after Asa Hall’s corner. At the other end, Close and James Constable could not test Letheren with wayward efforts and Oliver settled matters courtesy of his third goal in nine outings since returning from a half-season loan spell at Notts County.

Adriano Moke hooked forward and Oliver managed to hold off the challenge of Eastleigh centre-back Ayo Obileye to latch on to the ball as it bounced in the penalty box before shooting low into Clarke’s bottom-right corner from eight yards.

During the dying minutes, Garratt hoisted out of the ground from distance for Richard Hill’s men, while sub Scott Wilson curled just over from the edge of the box.

But Oliver finished the game by almost extending the winning margin when his deflected 20-yard chance flashed wide.

City: Kyle Letheren; Daniel Parslow, Hamza Bencherif, Sean Newton; Simon Heslop, Asa Hall, Adriano Moke (Danny Holmes, 88), Alex Whittle; Vadaine Oliver, Jon Parkin, Amari Morgan-Smith. Subs not used: Scott Fenwick, Shaun Rooney, Aidan Connolly, Derwin Martina.

Eastleigh: Ryan Clarke, Gavin Hoyte, Ayo Obileye, Reda Johnson, Michael Green, Ben Strevens, Ben Close (Sam Matthews, 80), Sam Togwell, Ross Stearn (Tyler Garratt, 59), James Constable, Craig McAllister (Scott Wilson, 69). Subs not used: Hakeen Odoffin, Graham Stack.

Eastleigh star man: Stearn – tricky customer on the ball

Referee: Scott Oldham rating: 5/10 – some moments of genuine confusion

Booked: Heslop 62, Johnson 88.

Attendance: 2,406 (94 from Eastleigh)

Shots on target: City 8, Eastleigh 2

Shots off target: City 7, Eastleigh 7

Corners: City 6, Eastleigh 0

Fouls conceded: City 6, Eastleigh 9

Offside: City 5, Eastleigh 2