Eastleigh Cup dream lives on despite Bolton's late leveller

Saturday 09 Jan 2016
Bolton keeper Ben Amos concedes Eastleigh's opener

National League Premier side Eastleigh forced Bolton Wanderers to an Emirates FA Cup third-round replay, with the troubled Championship side firing three minutes from time through Darren Pratley.

Eastleigh, the only non league team left in the FA Cup, had to battle just to get the game on, with manager Chris Todd even out on the pitch at the Silverlake Stadium pre-match to help with ground repairs.

The pitch was certainly a leveller though and Bolton, who had not lost to non league opposition in 19 previous ties, succumbed when Dervite inadvertently put through his own net six minutes into the second half.

Emirates FA Cup

Third round
Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland
Birmingham 1-2 Bournemouth
Brentford 0-1 Walsall
Bury 0-0 Bradford City
Colchester 2-1 Charlton
Doncaster 1-2 Stoke
Eastleigh 1-1 Bolton
Everton 2-0 Dagenham and Redbridge
Huddersfield Town 2-2 Reading
Hull 1-0 Reading
Ipswich 2-2 Portsmouth
Leeds 2-0 Rotherham
Middlesbrough 1-2 Burnley
Newport v Blackburn (postponed)
Northampton 2-2 MK Dons
Norwich 0-3 Man City
Nottm Forest 1-0 QPR
Peterborough 2-0 Preston
Sheff Wed 2-1 Fulham
Southampton 1-2 C Palace
Watford 1-0 Newcastle
West Brom 2-2 Bristol City
West Ham 1-0 Wolves
Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Aston Villa
Winning sides receive £67,500 from The FA prize fund

But as the increasingly vocal home support sensed they were heading to round four for the first time in their history, Pratley pounced to force a replay.

James Morrison struck in the 95th minute to deny Bristol City victory at the Hawthorns.

Saido Berahino gave West Bromwich Albion a 67th-minute lead, but Jonathan Kodjia swiftly responded before Kieran Agard edged the Robins ahead with seven minutes remaining.

But with the Premier League side on the ropes, Morrison forced a replay.

Holders Arsenal came from behind to beat Sunderland 3-1. The Gunners fell behind on nine minutes when Jermain Lens struck. But Joel Campbell levelled on 25 minutes.

Aaron Ramsey, who scored the winner at Wembley Stadium in the 2014 final, finally put the Gunners in front in the 72nd minute and three minutes later Olivier Giroud made certain their passage through.

League One Walsall, taking on former manager Dean Smith’s Brentford of the Championship, emerged victorious from Griffin Park with Sam Mantom scoring the game’s only goal on 34 minutes.

Colchester United, at the foot of League One with the worst defensive record in the Football League, stunned Charlton Athletic with a 2-1 victory – George Moncur and Marvin Sordell notching in the first half.

And there was more joy for League One clubs against Championship opposition as Martin Samuelson and Conor Washington earned a 2-0 win for Peterborough United against Preston North End.

But MK Dons denied Northampton Town a famous victory, Nicky Maynard earning a 2-2 draw with an 82nd-minute effort.

Sam Mantom celebrates putting Walsall ahead at Brentford

Sam Mantom celebrates putting Walsall ahead at Brentford

Peter Crouch, recalled to the Stoke City side, reminded boss Mark Hughes of his talents with an early opener, but League One Doncaster levelled through Nathan Tyson.

Stoke were not having it all their own way, but advanced thanks to Republic of Ireland international Jonathan Walters.

Bournemouth came from behind to beat Birmingham City 2-1 and Derby County were forced to do the same at League Two Hartlepool United, Darren Bent hitting the 85th-minute winner.

Manchester City eased through against Norwich City, with goals from Sergio Aguero, Kelechi Iheanacho and Kevin De Bruyne in a 3-0 win.

And in another all-Premier League tie, Crystal Palace won 2-1 at Southampton with Wilfried Zaha netting the winner.

By FA Staff