It is now just over 6 years on since Eastleigh’s infamous 3rd round FA cup tie with Championship side Bolton Wanderers which ended 1-1 at the Silverlake.
After three pitch inspections the pitch was only deemed playable 90 minutes prior to kick off.
Being the lowest ranked team left in the cup, Eastleigh fans were jubilant when a Jay Reason cross was diverted into the back of the net courtesy of a big touch off Bolton defender, Dorian Dervite in the 51st minute.
The upset was on as a crowd of more than 5,000 fans squeezed into the ground, consisting of 1,000 Bolton fans. It could have been two only 14 minutes after the own goal as Andy Drury’s goal-bound shot was scrambled off the line by David Wheater.
Ross Flitney made a number of saves to keep the south coast side ahead in a tense match, and with the support of the fans Eastleigh almost made it into the 4th round for the first time in their history.
But in the 87th minute it was Darren Pratley who broke the Spitfires hearts after firing in from close range following a corner.
Eastleigh manager Chris Todd told BBC Radio Solent: “The players put absolutely everything into it and they’ve given a performance that deserved a win.”
Bolton manager Neil Lennon: “I wasn’t overly happy with the pitch, one of the worst pitches I have ever seen, but we travelled.”
And though the Trotters escaped with a replay, they will have to battle past a dogged Eastleigh if they are to come close to matching their 2011 run to the semi-finals.
