MARTIN Allen hopes Eastleigh fans understand his reasons for taking a largely young, inexperienced side to Harlow Town in the FA Trophy yesterday.

The Spitfires bowed out of Non-League’s premier cup competition 2-0, falling to first-half goals from Alex Read and Joe Benjamin.

Harlow operate two tiers below Eastleigh in the Ryman Premier Division, but the decision to name six scholars in the Spitfires' starting line-up and another five on the bench turned the Essex hosts from underdogs to favourites.

Had it not been for Tuesday's all-important FA Cup second round replay at FC Halifax Town, Eastleigh’s new boss would have travelled with his strongest available National League squad.

But given the number of injuries and cup-tied players he has inherited, Allen felt it wise to go safety first and protect his team for the Cup.

The stakes are high at Halifax with the winners getting £27,000 from the FA Prize Fund and the carrot of a January 7 trip to Allen's old club Brentford in the third round.

Speaking after the game, Allen said: “I must make it clear to all Eastleigh supporters that if we hadn’t had the replay on Tuesday night I would have brought a full first-team to play this fixture.

"But I’ve got 14 players for Tuesday and I can’t afford to have any more risk of injuries with such a big game for this football club.”

Allen couldn't even call on some of his younger first-team squad members yesterday because the likes of Jack Masterton have been out on loan and played for their adopted clubs in the Trophy.

Six Spitfires scholars – Charlie Daniels, Lewis Harvey, Owen Fee, Ollie Dennett, Aaron Lobb and Brandon Hammerston – started at Harlow and there were a further five young guns – Joe Whittington, Ryan Meaney, Dylan Kirkwood, James Parker-Trott and Marcel Laptas – on the bench.

“Seven players have made a debut for the first team and long-term that’s good,” said Allen. “Over time we’ll have to see how many of these boys can step up.

“I thought they showed real courage today to get on the ball and play good football. We had some good passing movements, but not many chances.

“I think you could tell they (Harlow) were stronger, more powerful and faster and they certainly deserved to win.”