BIG-spending Eastleigh were sent back to Hampshire with their tail firmly between their legs as they were soundly beaten by a well-organised Billericay team, writes Simon Williams.

Both teams had early chances with Chris Wild going close for Billericay who then had keeper Dale Brightly to thank for a double save from Tom Jordan and Adam Everitt at a corner.

Town took the lead midway through the half when Glenn Poole broke into the box only to be tripped by Gary Elphick. Poole picked himself up and smashed home the penalty, his six successful spot kick already this season.

Billericay didn’t have to wait long for their second goal as a piece of calamitous play from Eastleigh’s Glen Southam presented the ball to Marc Charles-Smith in front of goal, and he had time to pick his spot and score.

Any hopes Eastleigh may have had of launching a second half comeback were quickly erased when Wild headed home Sam Lechmere’s cross to make it three.

Minutes later Town scored their fourth when a long throw was flicked on first by Rob Swaine and then by Wild with the ball eventually falling to Nathan Green to score.

There was a long delay late on as Charles-Smith was stretchered off, but it didn’t seem to dim Town’s appetite for goals and Eastleigh keeper Jack Dovey pulled off a fine save to deny Poole late on.

Billericay: Brightly, Oates (Osborn 46), Anderson, I’Anson, Swaine, Wild, Lechmere, Poole, Charles-Smith (Huntchinson 74), Green, Reynolds.

Echo MOM: Marc Charles-Smith (Billericay).