FA Trophy: Havant are favourites says Gosport boss

Gosport boss Alex Pike says Havant & Waterlooville are favourites after their FA Trophy first leg ended 1-1.

Tim Sills gave Gosport the lead on 47 minutes before Nic Ciardini levelled in a semi-final Havant boss Lee Bradbury described as "frustrating".

The winners of the tie will take on Cambridge United or Grimsby Town in the final at Wembley.

"Havant have to be favourites if you look at the quality in their side," Pike told BBC Radio Solent.

The pair will play the second leg on Saturday and Bradbury admitted Gosport's tactics were difficult to overcome.

"It was a frustrating night," Bradbury told BBC Radio Solent.

""Gosport came and parked the bus. They played four centre-halves and tried to frustrate us really and they managed to do that.

"They were solid and disciplined and will be happy they are still in the tie, as am I."

Bradbury urged his side to improve at the weekend and said they were relishing the challenge.

"It's exciting, the tie is in the balance and may the best team win," he added.

"It's one game from Wembley. They were celebrating after the game like they'd won the tie but it is far from over."

Pike was delighted his team came through the game and he defended their tactics.

"We came here with a gameplan," he said.

"We wanted to make sure we were still in the tie after the first leg. We know how good Havant are, and I thought on the night we shaded it.

"We had to play a certain way because of the pitch and if they thought that was boring then tough.

"It's only half-time. A friend of mine told me he had a dream that we would draw 1-1 and win 2-0 at Gosport, well let's hope that comes true.

"We're happy. We know our strengths and we'll play to our strengths and we'll see where that takes us on Saturday."

Full coverage of the FA Trophy semi-final first leg will be live online via BBC Radio Solent on Saturday.