With leaders Newport County`s game at Worcester City called off, Dover Athletic had the opportunity to cut the deficit at the top of the Blue Square South table on Boxing Day.
However, the Whites` players must have indulged far too much on Christmas Day as they ended up on the wrong end of a 6-2 hammering by second-bottom Lewes at the Dripping Pan!
Joe Keehan scored a hat trick as the Rooks fought back from two goals down to win a thriller.
The home side looked to be out of it when second-placed Dover raced into a 2-0 lead with goals from Jamie Rogers after just 2 minutes and Frannie Collin on 13.
But Steve Ibbitson's men fought back to lead 3-2 at the break with goals from Keehan on 18 minutes, Steven Brinkhurst on 33 and an Ollie Shulz own goal 4 minutes before the whistle.
Keehan scored twice in 5 minutes midway through the second half to complete his treble and David Wheeler put some added gloss on the win by racing through to score a sixth 4 minutes from time.
It ended up being an excellent day for the Exiles, even though they didn`t play at Worcester City as not only did Dover lose, but none of the others in the top five won either.
Thurrock were beaten 1-0 at Melbourne Park by Essex neighbours Chelmsford City, whose Ben Martin kept his cool from the penalty spot in stoppage time to win it and take the Clarets to sixth place.
Woking were held to a 1-1 draw at Westleigh Park by lowly Havant & Waterlooville, whose Ian Simpemba gave them a 36th minute lead that Guiseppe Sole cancelled out from the spot on 64 minutes.
And Braintree Town shared a goalless draw at Bishop`s Stortford and in doing so allowed Chelmsford to pull level on points with them.
Eastleigh are now only a couple of points off a play-off spot after dishing out the day`s second six-goal thrashing.
It was Basingstoke Town on the wrong end of a hammering this time, with Richard Gillespie opening the account after 10 minutes and Brett Poate 4 minutes later and transfer-listed Andy Forbes (36) making it 3-0 at the break.
Anthony Riviere added a fourth in the 63rd minute and Jamie White made it nap 0n 78, with Peter Adeniyi adding the icing on the Christmas cake with number six 3 minutes from time.
Weston-super-Mare remain in trouble in third-bottom spot after Darren Edwards` brace for Bath City secured a 2-0 win for the visitors.
Edwards scored after 33 and 40 minutes.
Bromley won by the same scoreline at Park View Road against Welling United with goals from Ryan Dolby after 37 minutes and Warren McBean just before the break.
The Dorset derby at the Jewson Avenue Stadium between strugglers Dorchester Town and Weymouth attracted a crowd of 2,163 but produced no goals, while Drew Roberts bagged a brace to help St Albans City to a good 3-o win at Maidenhead United at York Road.
Recent signing Angus McLachlan opened the Saints` account after less than 4 minutes and then Roberts pounced with two goal in the final 15 minutes.
