Eastleigh manager Chris Todd hails 'incredible' FA Cup journey

Chris Todd hopes his Eastleigh can take their FA Cup performances into the National League

Eastleigh manager Chris Todd has hailed the "incredible journey" his players have taken the club on in the FA Cup.

National League Eastleigh, who were the last remaining non-league side in the draw, lost 3-2 to Championship Bolton in a third-round replay on Tuesday.

The Spitfires' record run included a win against League One Crewe in the first round of the competition.

"Now we have to take those performance levels into the league and carry on," Todd told BBC Radio Solent.

Eastleigh, fifth in the National League, are eyeing promotion to the Football League for the first time in their history.

"If we can match the performances we have shown in this competition, then we will give ourselves a great chance of getting promoted," Todd added.

"I said to the players at the start of this competition that one thing we wanted to try and do was make a memory. They have definitely done that.

"We have been on some journey and the performance today was top drawer. We were unlucky in the end not to have come out of it with a draw."

Eastleigh led Bolton through Joe Partington's goal, but after going behind, Kaid Mohamed equalised to make it 2-2 just before half-time.

However Darren Pratley, who also scored in the first tie at Eastleigh, netted a second-half winner.

"We have to concentrate on the league now," Todd added. "We've managed to get this far and the players have put in a performance that's a credit to them as individuals."