YORK City were their own worst enemy as a Paul McCallum brace saw Eastleigh claim all three points in Hampshire.

A goal from former Sunderland attacker Chris Maguire and a brace from McCallum meant that Callum Howe’s first goal for York was rendered as only a consolation, with City heading home empty-handed.

Maguire had opened the scoring with a sensational strike from distance, curling an effort home from 25-yards out after a mistake by Scott Burgess.

Eastleigh doubled their lead after the half-time break, with McCallum beating the offside trap to slide the ball past goalkeeper Rory Watson.

York did respond with a Howe header, powering home from close-range after Burgess’ cross.

But it wasn’t enough for the Minstermen, with McCallum grabbing his second of the afternoon with a powerful header at the back post following some calamitous defending.

Ardley opted to make three changes from the side that surpassed Needham Market in midweek, with Quevin Castro, Dan Batty and top scorer Dipo Akinyemi dropping out of the starting eleven.

Akinyemi and Batty were both absent from the squad entirely, leaving City with very few options going forward.

Callum Howe returned to the starting eleven, whilst Paddy McLaughlin and Lenell John-Lewis were integrated into the squad, along with Aiden Marsh whose loan spell expires after the Eastleigh clash.

With Akinyemi being missing from the squad, supporters dreaded to think how the Minstermen would perform in tough conditions.

Eastleigh asserted themselves on the match from the first whistle, with Jake Taylor curling an efforts goalwards, only to be blocked by the head of Adam Crookes.

Rory Watson has kept his spot between the sticks after keeping back-to-back clean sheets in the Emirates FA Cup, and was called into action to collect a cross destined for the head of Scott Quigley.

Eastleigh had a huge opportunity to find the breakthrough as Enzio Boldewijn’s low cross found one of the National League’s leading goalscorers Paul McCallum, but the latter couldn’t direct his strike on target from close-range.

Maguire was next to have a strike towards the City goal, but saw his long-ranged effort fly into the away stand.

York did look to add some bite to the game, with Kai Kennedy beating Jayden Harris on the wing before looking to pull the ball back, but he summed up City’s frustrations as his cross nestled onto the roof of the Eastleigh net.

Kennedy was again involved after Tyler Cordner’s pass saw Ryan Fallowfield burst into space, with the right-back’s low cross being met by Kennedy, who was only able to power his strike over the crossbar.

But with York looking to grow into the game and test Joe McDonnell between the Spitfires’ sticks, it was Eastleigh who took the lead.

A sloppy pass from Scott Burgess allowed the home side to break on a vulnerable City defence, before Maguire expertly cut inside of Cordner before unleashing a sensation strike into the top right corner, beating Watson and putting York behind.

Chances were limited for the remainder of the first half, with Burgess’ low cross searching for John-Lewis, but being cut out at the last second by Ludwig Francillette.

And with York struggling to get going, it was Eastleigh who headed into the break ahead.

Heading into the second half, City looked to gain more of a foothold onto the game, with Fallowfield’s low cross being well dealt with by George Langston.

Cordner was on the lookout for his second in as many games when meeting Burgess’ corner, but could only turn his header over the crossbar of McDonnell.

And with an hour played, the Spitfires doubled their lead.

A long ball caused problems amongst the York backline, and with some miscommunication from Cordner and Watson, McCallum was able to race in behind before coolly slotting the ball past the City shot-stopper.

However, it wasn’t game over for the Minstermen who immediately responded with a goal of their own.

A foul on John-Lewis in a dangerous position allowed Burgess the chance to create something for City, as his teasing cross was met by the head of Howe, who directed the ball home for his first in a York shirt.

Eastleigh weren’t happy to see a potential comeback from the Minstermen, and looked to add a third as McCallum headed agonisingly wide from a corner.

But City couldn’t have come any closer to an equaliser on the 72nd minute mark, and were forced to reap the rewards moments later.

First, a brilliant pass from Cordner saw Fallowfield race in behind, before his low cross set Marsh in front of goal, but the Barnsley loanee was unable to turn the ball home from four-yards out to the disbelief of his York teammates.

And as Eastleigh reacted to their scare, it was some more lacklustre defending that allowed the hosts to regain their two goal deficit.

A scramble in the box saw the ball end up with Boldewijn on the edge, and his deep cross evaded the  head of corner, only to be fired home at the back post by the in-form McCallum to grab his brace for the afternoon.

The Minstermen’s afternoon was summed up with the final minute approaching, as a deep corner found the head of Howe, whose flick on was turned wide by an unmarked Cordner inside the six-yard box, seeing York made the long journey home without any reward for those travelling supporters.

Eastleigh: McDonnell, Boldewijn, Francillette, Clements, Panter, Harris (Atangana, 75), Langston, Taylor, Maguire, Quigley, McCallum

Subs: Scott, Barlow, Rutherford, Chalwell

Goals: Maguire (33), McCallum (60, 76)

Yellow cards: Taylor (57)

York City: Watson 5, Fallowfield 7, Cordner 6, Howe 6, Smith 6, Crookes 6, Woodyard 5 (Dyson, 86), McLaughlin 6, Burgess 6 (Marsh 5, 63), Kennedy 6, John-Lewis 6

Subs not used: Whitey, Castro, Hancox

Goals: Howe (62)

Yellow cards: Kennedy (43), John-Lewis (90+3)

York’s star man: Ryan Fallowfield. A gritty performance from the right-back who worked hard throughout the 90 and created chances for the attackers.

Attendance: 2327 (314)

Referee: Ritchie Watkins

Shots off (on target): 7 (3) | 6 (1)

Corners: 5 | 2

Offsides: 2 | 2

Fouls committed: 11 | 10