Eastleigh overcame an early scare to confirm their Vanarama Conference play-off spot with a 2-1 comeback victory over Kidderminster Harriers in their last game of the normal season at the Silverlake Stadium today.

Harriers took advantage of the Spitfires’ early nerves to take the lead less than a minute in, as Danny Wright slotted home after Eastleigh stopper Ross Flitney messed-up a clearance outside his area.

But, in front of a bumper 4,024 crowd (their second biggest ever), Richard Hill’s side found their stride and confirmed a remarkable fourth place Conference finish with a superb second period display.

It means they face Grimsby Town in the two-legged semi-final.

Ben Strevens hit his ninth goal of the campaign on 53 minutes as he fired in from the far-post from a Jai Reason corner for the equaliser.

To complete the comeback James Constable, who worryingly limped off late-on after taking a knock, was then on target for his 19th of the term as he coolly hit-home after Jack Midson had struck the post from range.

The result means that the Spitfires can disregard results from play-off rivals Macclesfield and Forest Green Rovers, and can focus on the semi-final on Thursday, April 30 on Stoneham Lane, followed by the away trip on Sunday, May 3.

One change was made from the 2-1 victory at Lincoln City, with Harry Pell dropping to the bench for Craig Stanley in a straight centre-midfield swap.

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Kidderminster, meanwhile, made two alterations with Callum Gittings and Luke Maxwell coming in for Jake Green and Nat Kelly.

With this match one the biggest matches in Eastleigh’s history some nerves were inevitable.

But still, there was little concern that the home side would settle quickly and collect the magic point to confirm the play-off finish.

However, the early stages of the game the Spitfires were almost paralysed as the enormity of what could be achieved equated to a completely uncharacteristic cagey start.

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Hill’s side, usually exuding confidence, looked nothing like the side that had just won four games in a row and had calmly dismantled Kiddy 3-1 back in March.

And no sooner had Flitney collected Eastleigh’s Player of the Season award that he was at fault for Kidderminster’s opening goal just 50 seconds in.

The round of applause that followed the collection of his accolade was probably still ringing in his ears as he burst out of his box to chase down a loose through ball, which had found its way past the Eastleigh backline.

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Wright was alert to Flitney’s impending error and latched onto the stray through ball as the keeper failed to clear.

The striker, falling over as he shot, swiped with his left foot and sent the ball on its way towards goal.

It wasn’t fiercely struck, but it was enough to take it to the goal-line, where centre-back Will Evans attempted to clear, only for him to bundle himself and the ball into the net.

It was a horrific start, and it could have got worse soon after, as Harriers continued to apply pressure on the nervy Spitfires.

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A Kevin Nicholson free-kick tested a jittery Flitney, as his long-range free-kick was tipped over by the keeper as it looked to be dipping under his crossbar.

Moments later a dangerous cross had to be put out for corner as Eastleigh avoided going further behind.

The home side started to get over their nerves and started to build a good foundation of possession.

Evans looked in control as he came under pressure from experienced Kiddy striker Lee Hughes, who tried at times to bully him around. He wasn’t having any of it, however, and was looking solid.

Some neat play started to develop from Eastleigh and that soon turned into chances.

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Craig McAllister planted a header just over the bar while the Bitterne-raised frontman was on hand to head across goal from a Joe Partington cross.

It subsequently came to Midson, who couldn’t quite apply the killer touch.

Midson had a couple more chances, but stabbed one just over on the brink of half-time after firing another just wide following Reason's free-kick.

Strevens also worked keeper Daniel Lewis as he pulled a solid save from him on 32 minutes from just outside the box.

Although the scores elsewhere in the play-off chase, with Macclesfield losing 1-0 at Torquay United and Forest Green Rovers drawing 0-0 with Dover, meant that the Spitfires were still destined to finish in the promotion positions, it probably wouldn’t have stopped boss Hill from giving his side a half-time rollicking.

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Hill looked fired-up in his technical throughout the first-half and had seemingly given his outfit a rocket where the sun doesn’t shine at the interval.

They came out with renewed urgency and were soon level, with Reason instrumental in its creation on 53 minutes.

The attacking midfielder burst down the left flank and dragged his marker Jake Green into the box before he won a corner off him.

The former Braintree man delivered an in-swinging ball, deep to the back-post from the resulting kick.

It caused havoc among the visiting defenders and, as they swung hopelessly to clear it away, a line of Eastleigh players were on hand to prod the ball home. In the end Strevens got the decisive touch.

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The nerves of the first half had completely dissipated, giving Eastleigh the ability to channel their energy into applying all the pressure on the Worcestershire side.

Top-scorer James Constable came into his own, troubling the Kiddy backline before hitting the winner with 16 minutes left.

First, he pumped a header goal-ward, pulling custodian Lewis into a save at his feet.

The ex-Oxford United man was again in the thick of the action as he drove a shot low into the side-netting.

Then, on 74 minutes, came the goal that confirmed Eastleigh’s play-off status and fifth win in a row.

Midson picked up the ball some 25-yards out and thundered a shot against the left upright.

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It cannoned back out, clipping keeper Lewis on the way to the right of the six-yard box.

As Lewis looked around confusingly for the loose ball, Constable was alert to its whereabouts and slotted home a narrow angled shot.

Attendance: 4,024.

Eastleigh: Flitney, Spence, Stanley (Howard 72), Constable (Walker 90), Reason, McAllister (Burton 86), Midson, Strevens (c), Evans, Turley, Partington. Subs (not used): Beckwith, Pell.