Two sides separated by just four points at the end of the regular Football Conference season come face-to-face at the Silverlake Stadium on Thursday night in the first leg of the playoff semi-finals.

Barnet have already secured their promotion, and now it is the turn of four others to battle it out in order to earn their place in the Football League.

Eastleigh

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Following their promotion to the Conference Premier last year, it is fair to say that Eastleigh have not looked back as they close in on a place in the Football League.

The Spitfires, who 12 years ago were playing in the eighth tier of English football, have slowly worked their way through the divisions and are now just three games away from booking a place in the big time.

A large part of the Hampshire club's success comes down to their goalscoring success, which has seen them find the net a total of 87 times this season - a tally bettered only by league champions Barnet.

In fact, Eastleigh have only failed to find the net once in their last 17 outings, which stands them in good stead heading into their crucial showdown against Grimsby. Up the other end of the field, however, 61 goals against across their 46 games is the worst record of any side in the top nine, which could prove to be their downfall.

Five wins on the bounce, including a 2-1 victory over Kidderminster Harriers last time out to secure their top-five spot, ensure that Richard Hill's men enter the playoffs on a high, while well-travelled striker James Constable will be keen to add to his impressive 18 goals for the season.

Recent form: LWWWWW

Grimsby Town

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Having seen their 117-year stay in the Football League come to an end in 2010, Grimsby have battled away in an attempt to return back to where they feel they rightly belong.

Beaten semi-finalists in the playoffs for the past two seasons, as well as missing out on the FA Trophy in the latter stages of the competition in both campaigns, this could finally be the year that the Mariners make it over the line.

Things actually got off to a shaky start for Town, who drew each of their first three games, before clicking into gear over their next two matches to rack up 13 goals. A lack of consistency in the final month of the campaign cost Grimsby a chance of challenging for an automatic promotion berth, with two wins, two draws and a defeat in their final five fixtures.

While Eastleigh have found keeping clean sheets hard to come by, Paul Hurst's men have had less of a problem in that department, shutting out the opposition in 41% of their games this season to record the second-best defensive record in the league.

Lenell John-Lewis leads the way in terms of goals scored for the campaign, plundering 16 for the season so far, although he has just one in five heading into the delicately poised two-legged affair against the Spitfires.

Recent form: WDWLDW

Team News

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Grimsby opted to ring the changes for their final league game of the campaign, so they should boast a fresh squad for the 240-mile trip South.

Town defender Chris Doig admitted earlier this week that it has been tough finding the right balance in squad selection of late, but with a maximum of three games to go, the division's third-placed side look in good shape to stage a return back to the Football League.

Ross Flitney was named as Supporters' Player of the Year prior to Eastleigh's final regular home game of the season and, although he made an error in the opening minute of the contest against Kidderminster, he will be handed a starting spot between the sticks on Thursday night.

Hill brushed aside a reported falling-out between his players during that match at the Silverlake Stadium, which saw them pick up the win needed to secure their place in the lottery of the playoffs.

Leading scorer Constable is in line to lead the attack, while veteran striker Deon Burton could challenge for a place, although he is more likely to be used from the bench.

Eastleigh possible starting lineup:
Flitney, Spence, Partington, Evans, Midson, Turley, Stanley, Stevens, Reason, Constable, McAllister

Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:
McKeown, Pearson, Magnay, McLaughlin, Gowling, Parslow, Brown, Clay, Chapell, Pitmann, Palmer

Head To Head

Eastleigh managed to pick up at least a point from every side in the division this season except for one - Grimsby Town. That is a positive omen that the Mariners will take into the clash, having won 1-0 and 2-1 so far this season.

That marks their only two meetings at this level, with both sides a world away from each other not so long ago.

Of course, past history counts for little in the playoffs, and separated by just four points after the 46-game regular season, there is very little to choose between the two heading into this one.

We say: Eastleigh 2-2 Grimsby Town

Eastleigh certainly know how to find the net but they are also vulnerable at the other end of the field, too. An entertaining four-goal draw in Hampshire will leave this tie well balanced heading into Sunday's second leg.

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