FA Cup

Second Qualifying Round

Eastleigh 3

Cinderford Town 1

BLUE Square South outfit Eastleigh ended Town's FA Cup dream, but the Foresters made plenty of friends with a gutsy performance on the south coast.

Eastleigh – who are managed by former Leeds United, Bristol City and Southampton striker Ian Baird – dominated first half possession and were probably the better side overall.

However, Town had some good chances to score and shaded the second half.

Cinderford striker Lewis Sommers rattled the Eastleigh bar with a header from a Dale Evans cross inside five minutes, but it was the home side who took the lead when Tom Jordan rifled home a left-footed shot from a 25th minute corner.

Eastleigh doubled their advantage eight minutes later from another corner. Andy Forbes rose highest to thump home Graeme Montgomery's cross.

Town had a great chance to peg a goal back before the break when they were awarded a penalty.

Mike Whittington was tripped by Jordan, but Barfoot kept out Whittington's spot-kick with a diving save.

Cinderford produced some excellent football in the second half to provide the hosts with several scares.

However, Andrew White came off the bench to peel away from his marker and slot Eastleigh's third goal. His initial shot was well saved by Ben John, but he made no mistake with the rebound.

Cinderford had Dale Evans sent off late in the game after the Town skipper picked up a second yellow card.

They scored a deserved consolation goal five minutes from time through Nick McCootie, on as a second half sub for Matt Barnes.

Cinderford Town: Ben John, Warren Archer, Dan Harrison, Andy Lewis, Matt Smith, Dean Lee, Craig Tait, Dale Evans (capt), Matt Barnes, Mike Whittington, Lewis Sommers. Subs: Nick McCootie, Ashley Malcolm, Brad Andrews, Greg Lewis, Alex Harris.