Only the M27 and four divisions separated Eastleigh and Southampton as they battled it out in the sunshine on Saturday. Cameron Archer's winner 15 minutes from time settled the matter after Adam Armstrong had levelled the scoring from the spot late in the first half.
For all their possession in the first-half, Saints found it difficult to penetrate a well organised and resolute Eastleigh who defended valiantly in a low block all afternoon.
Ratings - First XI - First Half
Alex McCarthy - 5 (GK)
Did little to enhance his chances of being anything other than the second or third choice keeper this season. Eastleigh's early goal gave him no chance.as he was beaten from close range.
James Bree - 4 (RB)
Lacked the energy and confidence in the system to get forward in support of Armstrong. His passing was off-point, even at this early stage of the season. Blazed a chance over when he really should have tested the keeper.
Charlie Taylor - 5 (LB)
Given an opportunity to impress in the absence of Ryan Manning, Taylor did most of his best work going forward. Was at fault for the opening goal and his positioning throughout the first-half was questionable. Got into crossing positions often but failed to get his head up and pick out a team mate often enough.
Jack Stephens - 5 (CB)
Stephens has been described by his manager as somebody he is counting on. Understandably laboured in the heat. Passing out of defence was secure. Not really at fault for Eastleigh's goal although he could have been more alert to the evolving situation.
Joachim Kayi Sanda - 6 (CB)
Given a physical test by Eastleigh's Paul McCullum. Kayi-Sanda gave a good account of himself on that front but will need to learn quickly against Championship quality forwards. Gave away a couple of cheap free-kicks.
Shea Charles - 7 (DCM)
Although his passing was rusty, Charles was the pick of the first-half bunch. He made some significant interceptions and made some forward runs after receiving instructions from the manager during the drinks break. Won the penalty when he was pushed over in the box and had a couple of attempts blocked.
Will Smallbone - 4 (MF)
Another Saints player who looked at odds with the way that the manager wants his team to play. His weak attempt to make contact with the ball led to Eastleigh's early goal and he never really got going after that.
Ryan Fraser - 5 (AMF)
Playing in a central attacking role, Fraser looked lively in the opening exchanges but that was all we really saw of him. Linked up play nicely at times and had a shot blocked from fairly close range.
Adam Armstrong - 6 (RF)
Armstrong looks like a player who has not been away. His touch was sound and his finishing for the penalty was sublime. Not as involved in general play as he might have been.
Ross Stewart - 4 (CF)
Underwhelming performance of a player who looked low in confidence. Chased hard given the weather but he looked out of touch.
Ben Brereton-Diaz - 6 (LF)
Looked the liveliest of the three forwards in the first half and demanded more from his teammates than they were willing to give. Not suited to playing on the wing in this formation and may find himself behind others for a starting place by the time Wrexham come to St Mary's.
Ratings - Second XI - Second Half
Gavin Bazunu - 6 - (GK)
Assured with his distribution and positioning. Precious little to do in a second half dominated by Southampton.
Yukinari Sugawara - 6 (RB)
An energetic and assured performance. Delivered some dangerous balls into the box and cracked the post with a decent effort. Didn't create overlaps but didn't get caught out of position either.
Welington - 7 (LB)
Very suited to the way that the manager has set the team up. Got forward often and didn't waste a pass. He will need to be more alert to the counter-attack and players cutting inside him.
Nathan Wood - 6 (CB)
Composed and assured. Played a similar role to Jack Stephens in the first half but with a little more pace and intent.
Joshua Quarshie - 7 (CB)
Quarshie looked the real deal, albeit against a vastly inferior team. He gave the crowd a glimpse of his phenomenal pace, winning a foot-race with Eastleigh's Tyrese Shade.
Flynn Downes - 7 (DCM)
Bossed the second half and will be a big player for Southampton in the Championship. Demanded the ball and orchestrated proceedings ahead of him. Hunted down the ball alongside Dibling and Matsuki in the counter-press.
Kuryu Matsuki - 8 (AMF)
A high energy performance that caught the manager's eye. "He's got energy about him and he's useful in the counter-press and in the penetration runs that he has," he told Saints Marching after the match. Should have capped his performance with a goal or even two.
Tyler Dibling - 7 (MF)
Below his brilliant best but playing in a different role. Linked play up and counter-pressed effectively. Some breath-taking skill and sublime inter-passing with Sam Edozie was impossible for the National League side to live with.
Sam Edozie - 8 (RF)
A thorn in Eastleigh's left-hand side for the entirety of the second-half. Linked up with Dibling and Sugawara to good effect. Showed exquisite touch and electric pace to get in behind again and again. Was tenacious in the counter-press. Should have scored from close-range but fluffed his lines badly when it was easier to score.
Cameron Archer - 6 (CF)
Did everything that was asked of him including scoring Saints' winner after latching on to Robinson's deft through ball. Didn't have many opportunities to run in behind due to Eastleigh's low block.
Jay Robinson - 9 (LF)
Started the second half like a world beater but faded badly after deftly chipping the ball through for Archer to score. Finished the game playing centrally as Archer moved out on to the left side of the attack. According to the Daily Echo, Saints best player. This could be his break out season.