Woking substitute Liam Dulson scored twice as the Cards came from behind to beat Eastleigh 3-1 at the Silverlake Stadium, ending the Spitfires’ unbeaten home start to the National League season.
Eastleigh went ahead in the 11th minute with an incisive break led by Max Dickov. The forward drove between three Woking players before releasing Aaron Blair, who finished beyond Will Jääskeläinen for his fourth goal of the campaign, all of which have come at the Silverlake.
Woking responded and Tim Akinola tested Nick Townsend midway through the half before the Eastleigh goalkeeper produced an excellent reaction save to deny John Marquis from inside the penalty area. The pressure continued and Reece Johnson was adjudged to have tripped Timi Odusina in the box in the 36th minute, giving the visitors a penalty.
Marquis converted from the spot to make it 1-1, but Eastleigh were handed an immediate opportunity to regain their lead when Blair broke through the Woking defence and was brought down inside the area. Blair took the resulting penalty himself, only for Jääskeläinen to save his effort and ensure the sides went into half-time level.
Eastleigh made three changes nine minutes after the restart, introducing Jonny Williams, Dion Rankine and the returning Oli Hawkins. The hosts then went close to restoring their lead when Josh Lundstram delivered for Tommy Dobson-Ventura, whose header brought an excellent diving save from Jääskeläinen.
Woking interim manager Craig Ross introduced Dulson and Tariq Hinds in the 65th minute, and Dulson needed only seven minutes to make an impact. Eastleigh surrendered possession while attempting to play out from the back and the resulting delivery was met by the substitute, who guided his header beyond Townsend to put the Cards 2-1 ahead.
Woking threatened to extend their advantage five minutes later when Steven Turner turned towards goal and unleashed a powerful effort, but Townsend tipped the shot over to keep Eastleigh within one. Matt Gray made further changes as the Spitfires searched for another late home equaliser, with Will Randall and Barney Stone introduced during the closing stages.
Instead it was Woking who struck again in stoppage time. The Cards broke quickly with Eastleigh searching for an equaliser and Dulson finished the move to score his second of the afternoon and complete a 3-1 away victory.
The defeat was Eastleigh’s first at the Silverlake in the National League this season, ending an unbeaten six-match home run which had produced three wins and three draws. Gray’s side finished Saturday 17th with 15 points from 12 games.
Woking moved above Eastleigh into 15th on goal difference, also with 15 points. The Cards have now collected 11 points from their last six league matches, a marked improvement after winning only one of their opening six games of the campaign.
