Match ends, Bolton Wanderers 3, Eastleigh 2.
BoltonBolton Wanderers3EastleighEastleigh2
Bolton enjoyed some respite in a troubled week as they progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup at the expense of non-league Eastleigh.
The Championship's bottom club, facing the threat of a winding-up order, fell behind to a super Joe Partington goal.
Gary Madine levelled before Dean Moxey put the hosts ahead with a strike from the edge of the box.
A composed Kaid Mohamed equalised but the influential Darren Pratley struck from 12 yards to seal a nervy win.
Neil Lennon's beleaguered team will host Championship rivals Leeds United in round four at the end of the month, providing a much-needed financial boost for the debt-ridden club.
Watch highlights of all Tuesday's FA Cup third-round replays.
Something to celebrate in difficult times
The financially-troubled Trotters are seven points adrift of safety in the Championship and before the match captain Pratley had described this season as a soap opera.
The club are £172.9m in debt, under a transfer embargo for breaching Financial Fair Play rules and their High Court hearing for a winding-up order has been adjourned until next month.
Victory against a team fifth in the National League may not normally be a cause for great celebration for a side in the Championship, but this win was crucial to the confidence of a team which had won just once in their last 22 games.
Spirited Bolton fightback
Bolton were made to battle for their place in the fourth round and, at times, there was a sense that Eastleigh, the only non-league team remaining in the competition, were set to cause a great upset.
The non-leaguers, in the first half especially, were composed and well organised defensively, while Bolton were on edge, though they showed spirit in responding to Partington's burst down the right flank which resulted in a dreamy goal for the full-back.
Madine dragged the hosts back into the match, controlling Josh Vela's cross to finish low beyond Ross Flitney.
But Eastleigh too were resolute in a thrilling first half as Welshman Mohamed scored his first FA Cup goal since November 2012 to negate Bolton's second goal.
After the break, Pratley scored a goal his industry deserved after a neat one-two with substitute Shola Ameobi, who will be available to play in the league on Saturday against MK Dons despite being set to leave because the club cannot offer him a new deal.
The stats you need to know
- All of Madine's seven FA Cup goals have come against non-league opposition.
- Ameobi registered his first assist in English footbll since September 2012 (Newcastle v Everton).
What the managers said
Bolton boss Neil Lennon: "It was a hiding to nothing, I'm absolutely delighted. It was never going to be easy.
"I'm pleased, particularly with the second-half display. We could have won by a little more in the end.
"Psychologically it's a confidence booster going forward in the league as well."
Eastleigh manager Chris Todd: "The cup run we've been on has been outstanding and the two performances against a Championship outfit have been incredible.
"The lads showed great commitment and desire. They could have caved in, but that's what my players won't do.
"We were unlucky in the end but Bolton showed their class at times, which we expected."
Line-ups
Bolton
Formation 4-4-2
- 13Rachubka
- 6Vela
- 45Holding
- 4Dervite
- 3Moxey
- 7Feeney
- 21Pratley
- 17Trotter
- 16Davies
- 14MadineSubstituted forAmeobiat 52'minutes
- 22WellingtonSubstituted forWooleryat 86'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Gouano
- 8Spearing
- 18Danns
- 23Dobbie
- 26Ameobi
- 30Woolery
- 49Campbell
Eastleigh
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1Flitney
- 2Partington
- 6Reid
- 4Evans
- 20HardingBooked at 90mins
- 14StrevensBooked at 45minsSubstituted forMidsonat 75'minutes
- 28MohamedSubstituted forLafayetteat 86'minutes
- 8Payne
- 18Drury
- 10ReasonSubstituted forCookat 79'minutes
- 9Constable
Substitutes
- 3Green
- 5Turley
- 11Lafayette
- 12Midson
- 13Noice
- 17Cook
- 24Griggs
- Referee:
- Mark Clattenburg
- Attendance:
- 8,287
Match Stats
Home TeamBoltonAway TeamEastleigh
- Possession
- Home60%
- Away40%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away3
- Corners
- Home9
- Away0
- Fouls
- Home14
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Bolton Wanderers 3, Eastleigh 2.
Booking
Dan Harding (Eastleigh) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Liam Feeney (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Dan Harding (Eastleigh).
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Attempt saved. Andy Drury (Eastleigh) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
Foul by Liam Feeney (Bolton Wanderers).
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Lee Cook (Eastleigh) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Bolton Wanderers. Conceded by Joe Partington.
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Rob Holding (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Ross Lafayette (Eastleigh).
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Foul by Darren Pratley (Bolton Wanderers).
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Josh Payne (Eastleigh) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Eastleigh. Ross Lafayette replaces Kaid Mohamed.
Substitution
Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. Kaiyne Woolery replaces Wellington.
Post update
Attempt missed. Shola Ameobi (Bolton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
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Attempt saved. Mark Davies (Bolton Wanderers) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
Corner, Bolton Wanderers. Conceded by Paul Reid.
Substitution
Substitution, Eastleigh. Lee Cook replaces Jai Reason.
Post update
Attempt missed. Wellington (Bolton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
