Heartbreak at Ten Acres: Eastleigh forced into FA Cup replay after Bolton scores late

Eastleigh FC, a competitor in the Vanarama National League and the only non-league club remaining in the FA Cup, was minutes away from producing the unthinkable at Ten Acres on Saturday.

Welcoming Bolton Wanderers in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday in front of a club-record 5,025 people, Eastleigh opened the scoring when Dorian Dervite manufactured an own goal moments after the interval, deflecting a cross from Jai Reason past a helpless Ben Amos.

However, just when it appeared as though Eastleigh would pull off the greatest victory of its 70-year history, Darren Pratley spared Bolton's blushes, scoring an 85th-minute equaliser to rescue his club's FA Cup adventure.

It should be noted that the fixture was played on a pitch that was not fit for purpose only one week ago, and that could have been mistaken for a swamp, guaranteeing a lack of fluidity from both clubs and an inability for the ball to bounce.

Even a pitch invader who joined one of Eastleigh's attacks in comical fashion found himself unable to stay up on his two feet.

The replay of the tie will be played at Bolton's Macron Stadium.