Eastleigh 3 Bromley 0

McAllister headed Eastleigh into an 76th-minute lead from Chris Zebroski’s cross, before doubling the home side’s advantage by side-footing in from Glen Southam’s corner.

He completed his treble with an 86th-minute penalty after Zebroski had been upended, taking his tally for the season to 16.

The win sent Eastleigh above Weston-super-Mare and back into the top five and also extended their advantage over seventh-placed Boreham Wood, who could only draw at Eastbourne Borough.

But until McAllister’s 70th-minute introduction for Damian Scannell, it had been a frustrating night for the home side.

Manager Richard Hill watched from the stands as the Spitfires struggled to break down lowly Bromley during a dreadful first half.

Bereft of quality, the opening 45 minutes was a poor advert for the Blue Square South.

Only as half-time approached did the game flicker into life, with Zebroski, who was behind Eastleigh’s best moments for much of the game, denied by Bromley goalkeeper Joe Welch in the 44th minute.

But Eastleigh were fortunate not to be behind at the break, with Ross Flitney called into action in first half injury-time to deny Louie Theopahnus following a quick one-two between the Bromley number nine and his strike partner, Jack Holland.

That was as close as the visitors came to scoring all night but Zebroski was thwarted again ten minutes into the second half.

After hooking Corey King’s cross under control, the striker’s fierce shot was beaten away by Welch, who produced another fine block to deny Jai Reason ten minutes later.

Eastleigh have now won five of their last six and can secure a play-off berth by winning their next two at home to sides in the bottom five.

Tonbridge Angels visit on Saturday and entry to the Silverlake Stadium will be free for the visit of stricken Truro City on Tuesday.

Eastleigh: Flitney, Nelson, Lacey, Hughes, Beckwith, Todd (Forbes 64), Scannell (McAllister 70), Southam, Zebroski, Reason, King (Watkins 70).

Subs not used: Dovey (GK), Fountain.