EASTLEIGH have been given even more incentive to win their FA Cup replay against Bolton – a home tie against another former Premier League club.
Leeds United will visit the Silverlake Stadium in the fourth round at the end of the month if the Spitfires successfully negotiate next week’s replay at the Macron Stadium.
Like Bolton, 1972 FA Cup winners Leeds have plenty of pedigree.
Relegated from the top flight in 2004, Leeds are currently 13th in the Sky Bet Championship.
They are unbeaten in eight after winning their third-round tie 2-0 at home to Yorkshire rivals Rotherham.
Leeds’ last meeting with non-league opposition in the FA Cup ended in a 1-0 second-round defeat at Histon, like Eastleigh a National League club at the time, in December 2008.
But while Eastleigh’s players are wary of looking beyond the Bolton replay, some were at Stoneham Lane last night.
Former Saint Dan Harding, who watched the draw with two of his children, spent a season at Leeds a decade ago.
Jai Reason had a brief stint playing for Crawley Town under Steve Evans, Leeds’ manager since October, in 2010.
He said: “We need to get past Bolton first, which is going to be tough, but Leeds are still one of the biggest clubs in the country.
“They used to play in the Champions League so it would be amazing to get through, especially as we’re at home again.”
Fans were also excited by the draw, a roar breaking the tension when Leeds became the fourth ball picked out.
Steve New, from Eastleigh, said: “If we beat Bolton it’ll really put Eastleigh on the map.”
Fourth-round ties will be played from January 29-31, when there is also the prospect of a south-coast derby.
A home tie against AFC Bournemouth awaits Pompey if they beat Championship side Ipswich.
Meanwhile, Yemi Odubade is definitely out of next week’s replay.
Arguably Eastleigh’s best player before limping off after 35 minutes with a hamstring strain, he will struggle to be fit for Leeds’ visit, should the Spitfires get through.
FA Cup fourth-round draw
Arsenal v Burnley
Bury/Bradford City v Hull City
Carlisle/Yeovil v Everton
Colchester v Tottenham/Leicester
Crystal Palace v Stoke City
Derby v Manchester United
Eastleigh/Bolton v Leeds United
Exeter City/Liverpool v West Ham
Huddersfield/Reading v Walsall
Ipswich/Portsmouth v Bournemouth
Northampton/MK Dons v Chelsea
Nottingham Forest v Watford
Oxford United v Newport County/Blackburn
Shrewsbury v Sheffield Wednesday
West Bromwich/Bristol City v Peterborough
Wycombe/Aston Villa v Manchester City
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