The Trotters went off as short as 2.15 down in Hampshire 10 days ago so I’m not sure they’re only slightly skinnier here. Sure, they required an equaliser three minutes from time to force a replay but Neil Lennon’s men enjoyed more shots, efforts on-target, possession and corners than their National League hosts.
Eastleigh – the lowest ranked team left in the cup – were crestfallen at the final whistle. There was a feeling they’d had their chance(s) and blown it. The Spitfires followed the draw up with a rather lacklustre 2-1 defeat against Gateshead in the FA Trophy on Saturday and I seriously question whether they can produce another monumental effort at the Macron.
Four-times FA Cup winners Bolton were slashed 3-0 at Nottingham Forest on Saturday but received some welcome good news on Monday, with the club have avoided an immediate winding-up order after their case was adjourned until late February.
And despite sitting seven points from safety, Lennon’s troops fare reasonably well on home soil. Their W2-D8-L3 return this season has included four clean sheets and it’s true too that their shots-on-target ratio is better than six Championship rivals when hosting league football.
The hosts have avoided embarrassment in their last 20 fixtures against non-league opposition and I’m sure they’ll going all out to extend that record. I just have to take the Championship outfit at 1.91 quotes to progress with a victory in 90 minutes.
Forget the ‘magic of the cup’, on Tuesday I expect Bolton to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a home victory over non-league Eastleigh at odds of 1.91 with William Hill.