Eastleigh were just 20 minutes away from causing the first upset of The Emirates FA Cup first round, before Michael Doughty’s penalty secured League One Swindon Town a replay.
National League outfit Eastleigh are 35 places below the Robins in the football pyramid, but there was little to separate the two teams in front of a 4,000-strong crowd at Ten Acres.
The Emirates FA Cup
First Round Proper
Friday 4 November
Winners receive £18,000 from prize fund
By Chris Bailey
James Constable went close as Eastleigh started the game stronger, though keeper Ryan Clarke came to the hosts’ rescue with two fine saves from Luke Norris.
Doughty hit the bar before Mikael Mandron’s deft header put Eastleigh ahead in the second half.
But midfielder Doughty converted from the spot five minutes later after he was fouled by Clarke.
Substitute Ayo Obileye was then denied a famous Eastleigh winner after his effort was cleared off the line but the Spitfires will get a second chance in a replay at the County Ground.
In the only other tie of the night, Mahlon Romeo fired home an 88th-minute winner for Millwall at the expense of Southend United in an all-League One clash.
Romeo finished after his one-two with David Worrall though Marc Antoine-Fortune nearly scored an equaliser, forcing a fine save out of Lions keeper Jordan Archer.
There are 28 more first round matches to look forward to on Saturday, including Oxford United’s visit of Isthmian League Premier Division side Merstham.
Westfields, the lowest ranked side left in the competition, entertain Curzon Ashton while the Northern Premier League’s Spennymoor Town head to MK Dons – who played their football in the Championship last season.
