EASTLEIGH captain Paul Reid admits he was amazed the FA Cup tie against Bolton went ahead.

The former Glasgow Rangers and Barnsley centre-half admitted the shock of the round was the fact the game was played.

After help from several sources and three pitch inspections, referee Iain Williamson gave the go-ahead.

Torrential rain during the game ensured the pitch soon cut up, ensuring an old-fashioned FA Cup tie packed with thrills and spills.

But Reid, who was unfortunate not to keep a clean sheet following a valiant defensive display in the 1-1 draw, insists he has played on worse.

He said: “Fair play to the staff and everyone that helped out because we were here on Thursday when there were puddles on the pitch.

“I’m amazed the game was played, I thought it had a 99 per cent chance of being called off.

"But it does us a disservice to say the pitch was a massive leveller.

“It obviously cut up massively but we played some decent stuff, created some good chances and have played on worse pitches - Alfreton last year springs to mind and Guiseley this year was very, very wet.

“But I imagine their pitch will be better! There’ll be more football played at their place, let’s hope we give a good account of ourselves again.”

Eastleigh were on course for a famous win before Bolton captain Darren Pratley stabbed in the 87th-minute equaliser.

“The fact we’re slightly disappointed with a draw against a Championship team after having chances to kill the game off shows how far we’ve come,” said Reid.

“We gave a decent account of ourselves, the crowd really got behind us and we had a chance cleared off the line.

"If it goes in, we could have hung on and won the tie but fair play to them for managing to take us back to their place.”

Reid, who once played at the Macron Stadium for England U20s, added: “We’ve got mountain to climb, to go to Bolton and win would be absolutely huge.

“They may be struggling in the league but they’ve still got good players.”