Eastleigh FC lost 3-1 to Newport County on Tuesday night as they hosted an FA Cup third round replay.
Newport had a different plan in mind with midfielder Aaron Wildig opening the score in the 3rd minute of the tie.
Eastleigh came out stronger in the second half with Paul McCallum firing a half volley into the net in the 48th minute to make the score 1-1.
Eventually, the Welsh side showed the difference in divisions between the two sides as centre back James Clarke’s header took Newport back into the lead on the hour mark and top scorer Will Evans secured the win to make it 3-1 late on.
The non league side were not without effort in the closing stages as they threw everything at the Exiles but their efforts proved futile.
The Spitfires had seen the tie as one of the biggest in the clubs 78 year existence with a win against County meaning they could book their place in the FA Cup fourth round for the first time in their history meaning they’d be facing off against Premier League giants Manchester United at home, a huge opportunity for exposure and TV revenue for the club.
Newport’s win means they will receive £400,000 from said revenue and look forward to hosting Erik Ten Hag’s side at the end of this month in Wales, a team that sits 3 divisions above them.
Eastleigh return to action this weekend as they host Manchester side Oldham Athletic at the Silverlake Stadium in the National League on Saturday.
By Conor Dunmore
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