FA Cup: Eastleigh manager Chris Todd revels in Crewe upset

Eastleigh manager Chris Todd praised the character of his side after revealing they only had 15 minutes to prepare for their FA Cup win at Crewe.

Todd's National League side upset their League One opponents in the first round courtesy of Ben Strevens' penalty.

The Spitfires were late arriving at Gresty Road when they were caught in traffic after an accident on the M6.

"You do all the coaching badges as a manager, but nothing prepares you for that," Todd told BBC Radio Solent.

"You turn up late with only 15 minutes for a warm-up and you have to motivate your players to go back out there and prepare for a big game.

Chris Todd also experienced an FA Cup giantkilling as a player at Torquay against Yeovil in 2008

"But they did and came back into the dressing room absolutely flying and that showed me I have got some real characters in that dressing room after what we achieved."

Victory at Crewe came in Eastleigh's first-ever competitive fixture against a Football League club.

And after reaching round two last year before defeat at Southport, Todd has no preferences over who his side might meet in Monday's draw.

"It's exciting to be in it," he added. "It's special moments like this that really advertise football, especially for the fans.

"What will be will be. It's just nice to be in the hat and to achieve what we have so far.

"Hopefully we can build on it in the league which is our bread and butter and the most important thing."