BRAVE Eastleigh’s FA Cup run is over, but only after a thrilling third-round replay at Bolton Wanderers.
• Bolton Wanderers 3-2 Eastleigh - in pictures >>
• Bolton Wanderers 3-2 Eastleigh - as it happened >>
The Spitfires took a shock 11th-minute lead when Joe Partington, having been put in by Andy Drury, cut on to his left foot before firing into the far corner.
It set alight a fabulous cup tie.
Bolton responded with two goals in four minutes as half-time approached.
With Eastleigh captain Paul Reid grounded alongside him, Gary Madine hit a 39th-minute equaliser from 15 yards, slamming in Josh Vela's cross from the right.
Four minutes later, Bolton went in front.
Arsenal loanee Wellington Silva took a fabulous free-kick that Ross Flitney tipped on to the bar and behind for a corner.
The flag-kick was only cleared as far as Dean Moxey and Chris Todd’s former Exeter City teammate fired it left-footed into the bottom left corner from 20 yards.
No matter.
The Spitfires’ response was swift.
Following Dorian Dervite’s weak header, Kaid Mohamed played a one-two with Jai Reason before slotting the equaliser past the exposed Paul Rachubka.
No doubt stung by Neil Lennon’s half-time talk, Bolton dominated at the start of the second half and went back in front just shy of the hour.
Bolton captain Darren Pratley played a slick one-two with substitute Shola Ameobi before firing the winner low past Flitney in the 58th minute.
But Eastleigh can hold their heads high.
Bolton: Rachubka, Vela, Dervite, Holding, Moxey, Davies, Trotter, Pratley, Wellington Silva (Woolery 86), Feeney, Madine (Ameobi 53).
Subs: Campbell, Prince, Spearing, Danns, Dobbie.
Eastleigh: Flitney, Partington, Evans, Reid (C), Harding; Strevens (Midson 75), Drury, Payne, Reason (Cook 79), Mohamed (Lafayette 86); Constable.
Subs: Noice, Green, Turley, Griggs.
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