Eastleigh intend to appeal over Jimmy Anderson's dismissal in last night's 4-2 Jewson Wessex League Cup win over Wimborne Town.

The Ten Acres side went safely through 5-3 on aggregate and travel to title rivals Lymington & New Milton next Tuesday in a heavyweight quarter-final first leg tie.

But the pleasure of victory was tainted by the second-half dismissal of former Lymington, Bashley and Brockenhurst playmaker Anderson for retaliation.

The midfielder already has a suspension pending and Eastleigh's assistant manager David Hughes believes further punishment would be unjust.

He said: "Jimmy was running out of defence and got clipped on the heel. He was sent off for punching, but all he did was bowl the lad over with his hand. Even the Wimborne player said afterwards that he wasn't punched."

Eastleigh were 3-1 up at the time courtesy of two goals from fit-again striker Robbie Matthews and one which both Matthews and Martin Beck were claiming.

Warren Kenna made things safe from the penalty spot after a foul on David Asker, but Wimborne - who scored through Jamie Sturgess and Darren Powell - made life tough for the ten men late on.

Eastleigh rested several star names, as they have all through the Cup campaign, but they felt they had a point to prove.

Magpies boss Paul Arnold had hit a nerve in the build-up to the game by saying he felt Hampshire League top dogs Winchester City were a stronger side than Eastleigh.

Hughes admitted: "That wound our boys up a bit. Our priority has always been to win the league. We sent a reserve side down to Wimborne for the first leg because it's important to use the squad and rest some of the players.

"It says a lot when we pay £10,000 for a goalkeeper (Colin Matthews) and we don't use him in the Cup."

Matthews' absence opened the door for club stalwart Adam Gage, who turned in another inspired performance.

"It's brilliant to have someone like Adam who can play second string and then come in and perform like that," said Hughes. "At 4-2 he made a couple of good saves to protect our lead. I'm pleased for him because he's a great club man."