Woking fight back late to draw against Eastleigh in Jermain Defoe’s first match

Jermain Defoe’s Woking recovered from 3-1 down with 13 minutes left to salvage a 3-3 draw against Eastleigh in the former England striker’s first game in charge.

National League strugglers Eastleigh, who had lost their last four, had recovered in style after falling behind to Harry Beautyman’s 16th-minute header.

But Kian Pennant – one of Defoe’s first substitutions of his managerial career – scored an 85th-minute leveller to extend the Cards’ unbeaten home record in 2026.

Beautyman’s ninth goal of the season was cancelled out by a Tunji Akinola own goal on the stroke of half-time.

Jake Vokins gave Eastleigh the lead by rounding Will Jaaskelainen and slotting home from a tight angle before Temitope Eweka bundled in a third from a 70th-minute corner.

But Olly Sanderson headed in to kickstart the comeback in the 77th minute before Pennant – brought on after an hour – scored from the rebound of his own blocked shot to earn a point.