MARTIN Allen put the emphasis on family pride at half-time at Brentford yesterday to ensure his Eastleigh side and their loved ones could walk away from Griffin Park with their heads held high.

The Spitfires had endured a punishing first 45 minutes against the Bees, going in 5-1 down against their three-league-higher Championship hosts and, at that point, you wouldn’t have put it past the rampant West Londoners to have racked up double figures.

But Allen, who got a hero’s welcome at the club he managed between 2004 and 2006, inspired his National League underdogs to keep a well-deserved clean sheet in the second half by reminding his players that they had parents, wives and children watching.

“At half-time we were 5-1 down and Brentford were popping it, zipping it and moving it, and I thought ‘Wow!’, he said.

“I had 12 family members behind the goal and all the players had family there too.

“So I said to them: ‘What are we going to do? Do we crumble, back off and drop? Or are we going to give our families something to be proud of?

“Let’s be honest, 5-1 could have turned into eight, nine or ten and I didn’t want to walk off with eight, nine or ten in my back pocket.

“There was, of course, a worry at half-time that the players would back off second half and show fear – but they certainly didn’t do that.

“They went out and gave a really good account of themselves.

“We stifled them and blocked them and we took the game to Brentford and created a couple of really good chances of our own. We put one over the bar (Ayo Obileye) and the keeper’s taken one off (Mikael) Mandon’s toes.”

Admitting he’d had tears in his eyes as he walked out to a standing ovation from all corners of the 7,537 crowd, Allen said: “I’m never going to forget that, ever – that reception was very, very special and will go down as one of the highlights of my career.”

Then with a glint of mischievousness in his eyes, he added: “I’d have loved a replay though!

“I was out walking this morning and it was like Fantasy Island. I was thinking we'll get a draw, get them back to our place and make our pitch all horrible! But it wasn't to be.

“But I actually feel OK.

“I've hugged every one of the players in the dressing room.

“If the attitude of Brentford wasn't right today, we'd have been there, but Brentford were excellent.

"A Conference Club against a Championship club was always going to be hard whatever the weather, whatever the day, whatever the club.

"The Brentford players were quicker and sharper and some of their movement was quite outstanding.

"I think they got a big break with the penalty (that put them 1-0 up), but let's not kid ourselves, they were better than us and deserved to win."

The Spitfires go from one big game to another on Tuesday (7.45pm) when Forest Green Rovers visit in the National League.