EASTLEIGH maintained their unbeaten start to the Vanarama National League season with a 1-1 draw against Sutton United on Monday.

Kelvin Davis' Spitfires were twice saved by the woodwork in injury time as The Us came mightily close to grabbing all three points at the Silverlake Stadium.

Edunio Vaz gave the visitors an early lead before Paul McCallum scored once again to draw Eastleigh level before the break.

Both sides came into the game having not suffered defeat in their opening four games of the National League season.

The visitors started the brightest and registered the first effort on goal through Siju Odelusi - but Joe McDonnell did well to gather.

Vaz soon started to demonstrate his danger when his inviting delivery towards Ashley Nadesan took a crucial deflection behind for a corner.

Sutton's wait for the opening goal did not go on much longer. Vaz picked up the ball just outside the box, before bending an inch-perfect effort past McDonnell and into the top corner.

Sutton kept pushing, with Matt Rush seeing an effort deflected over the bar, but it was Eastleigh who scored next.

Reliable goalscorer McCallum pulled the Spitfires level on 38 minutes when he headed Scott Quigley's cross into the far corner.

It was the 31 year old's fourth goal in five league games - a strong start as he attempts to retain his golden boot.

Sutton were forced into a change just before the break when Rush went down and had to be replaced by Will Davies. 

Summer signing Lloyd Humphries had a couple of shots in quick succession after the break - his initial effort was blocked before Arnold produced a brilliant save to parry the second attempt.

McDonnell was quick to react and stop substitute Davies from restoring Sutton's lead when he produced a close-range save.

Spitfires supporters had to hold their nerve during the final 10 minutes as Steve Morison's side pushed for a late winner.

Former Wales international and Spitfires captain Jake Taylor made a crucial tackle to deny Charlie Waller a certain goal.

Their luck stretched into injury time as Sutton twice struck the woodwork - former Spitfire Jayden Harris struck the crossbar before McDonnell denied the follow-up effort with an excellent save.

League leaders Eastleigh are next in action against Gateshead, who sit between them and Sutton United in second place.