Match ends, Crewe Alexandra 0, Eastleigh 1.
CreweCrewe Alexandra0EastleighEastleigh1
Ben Strevens's penalty earned National League side Eastleigh a surprise FA Cup first-round victory at League One's bottom side Crewe Alexandra.
Crewe had been reduced to 10 men just after the hour mark when goalkeeper Ben Garratt was sent off for bringing down Yemi Odubade outside the box.
Eastleigh went ahead when substitute keeper Dan Nizic tripped Ross Lafayette and Strevens stepped up to score.
Crewe's best chance saw Ben Nugent's header from a corner fly wide.
The victory was a deserved one for Eastleigh who had enjoyed the better of the game at Gresty Road even before Garratt was dismissed.
The lively Odubade almost put the Spitfires ahead in the first half but saw his effort cleared off the line by Nugent.
Andy Drury's angled shot flew inches past the post and Odubade twice more went close as Eastleigh finished the stronger before the break.
The turning point in the match came when Odubade raced onto Drury's through ball, but Garratt misjudged his challenge and upended the striker a yard outside the area and was shown a straight red card.
Strevens made Eastleigh's dominance count when he sent Nizic the wrong way from the penalty spot 15 minutes from time and the visitors held on to reach the second round.
Eastleigh manager Chris Todd told BBC Radio Solent:
"I'm very proud of my players, they've put in an incredible shift and deserve to be in the second round.
"When he [Ben Strevens] stepped up to take that, I was praying he scored because he's such a nice guy and he loves football and he deserved that glory today.
"It was a great performance and we deserved to win the game."
Line-ups
Crewe
Formation 4-4-2
- 1GarrattBooked at 63mins
- 2Turton
- 5Ray
- 6NugentBooked at 55mins
- 3GuthrieSubstituted forDalla Valleat 84'minutes
- 27ColcloughSubstituted forCooperat 35'minutesSubstituted forNizicat 64'minutesBooked at 75mins
- 16King
- 20Jones
- 10Inman
- 9Haber
- 14SaundersBooked at 58mins
Substitutes
- 8Atkinson
- 11Cooper
- 12Dalla Valle
- 17Kingsley
- 18Bingham
- 19Baillie
- 30Nizic
Eastleigh
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Flitney
- 2PartingtonBooked at 54mins
- 5TurleyBooked at 73mins
- 4Evans
- 20HardingSubstituted forGreenat 71'minutes
- 10Reason
- 18Drury
- 8Payne
- 14Strevens
- 9ConstableBooked at 54minsSubstituted forLafayetteat 70'minutes
- 7Odubade
Substitutes
- 3Green
- 6Reid
- 11Lafayette
- 12Midson
- 13Noice
- 16Lee
- Referee:
- Carl Boyeson
- Attendance:
- 3,008
Match Stats
Home TeamCreweAway TeamEastleigh
- Possession
- Home52%
- Away48%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away5
- Corners
- Home3
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home14
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Crewe Alexandra 0, Eastleigh 1.
Post update
Attempt saved. Yemi Odubade (Eastleigh) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.
Post update
Corner, Eastleigh. Conceded by Danijel Nizic.
Post update
Attempt saved. Lauri Dalla Valle (Crewe Alexandra) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Foul by Ben Nugent (Crewe Alexandra).
Post update
Jai Reason (Eastleigh) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Adam King (Crewe Alexandra).
Post update
Andy Drury (Eastleigh) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Josh Payne (Eastleigh) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses the top right corner.
Post update
Hand ball by Ben Nugent (Crewe Alexandra).
Substitution
Substitution, Crewe Alexandra. Lauri Dalla Valle replaces Jon Guthrie.
Post update
Attempt missed. Josh Payne (Eastleigh) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
Post update
Foul by George Ray (Crewe Alexandra).
Post update
Yemi Odubade (Eastleigh) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Yemi Odubade (Eastleigh) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the centre of the box.
Post update
Attempt saved. George Ray (Crewe Alexandra) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
Bradden Inman (Crewe Alexandra) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Ben Strevens (Eastleigh).
Post update
Ben Nugent (Crewe Alexandra) wins a free kick on the right wing.
