EASTLEIGH survived a brief scare to advance to the first round proper of the FA Cup, coming from behind to defeat Dorking Wanderers 3-1.

Spitfires boss Lee Bradbury made just one change to the side that snatched a late win versus Chesterfield last weekend, veteran midfielder Nigel Atangana coming in for JJ McKiernan.

After a Dorking free-kick was nodded home by Daniel Gallagher in the dying minutes of the first half, Eastleigh responded in the second period with goals by Tristan Abrahams, Ryan Hill, and Danny Whitehall.

Chances were at a premium for both sides in the opening 45 minutes, the opener eventually coming right at the end of the half. Full-back Bobby-Joe Taylor’s delivery allowed Gallagher to nod past Joe McDonnell, putting the hosts 1-0 up at the break and leaving Spitfires with 45 minutes to salvage their cup campaign.

Former Saint Jake Hesketh helped sparked the turnaround, his deflected strike falling kindly for Abrahams to stroke the ball beyond Slavomir Huk in the Wanderers’ goal.

A neat one-two between left-back Michael Kelly and Hill eventually saw the latter played into the right position to hand his side the lead on 69 minutes.

Four minutes later the game was effectively sealed when substitute Whitehall tapped home Abrahams’ cut back.

Victory puts the Spitfires into Monday evening’s draw for the first round, where they will be ball number 67.

Bradbury’s charges also earned £9,375 for their victory.

Eastleigh: McDonnell, Camp, Martin, Langston, Kelly, Atangana (McKiernan, 83), Cisse, Carter, Hesketh (Whitehall, 72), Hill (Rutherford, 76), Abrahams

Unused subs: Flitney (g/k), Tshaka, Yang, Ebanks