ON-THE-WHISTLE MATCH REPORT: Eastleigh 1-1 Swindon

Swindon Town were held to a 1-1 draw by non-league Eastleigh in the FA Cup first round, with Michael Doughty's second half penalty earning the Robins a replay.

Doughty's 69th minute penalty saved Swindon's blushes after Eastleigh had taken the lead just five minutes earlier to spark fear of an FA Cup upset.

In the 64th minute ex-Sunderland striker Mikael Mandron lost his marker Lloyd Jones to guide a header past Lawrence Vigouroux in the Swindon goal after a whipped free-kick by Jake Howells.

A matter of moments later though Doughty was put in the clear by Sean Murray and Doughty was then brought down by goalkeeper Ryan Clarke for a spot-kick.

QPR loanee Doughty dusted himself down and stepped up from 12 yards to sweep the ball past Clarke and into the back of the net to calm Town nerves. 

There was controversy in the first half though when former Gillingham striker Luke Norris looked to have been denied a goal when his header seemed to have crossed the line.

Norris met a fantastic volleyed Jonny Goddard cross and it initially looked like Eastleigh goalkeeper Clarke made a world class save from point-blank range but on closer inspection it appeared as though all of the ball had indeed gone over the line, but no goal was given. 

Town were boosted this week with a number of previously injured players being passed fit, but tonight put them almost back at sqaure one on that front.

Captain Nathan Thompson hobbled off after 25 minutes with what looked to be a reocurrence of his everlasting hamstring issues while Murray too picked up a knock with 10 minutes remaining and was duly subbed for Jordan Stewart.

In terms of matchplay, neither side particularly dominated but the hosts certainly caused Town enough bother, especially in the first half.

Early on Connor Essam looked like he had a simple task of scoring from an earlier free-kick that caused Swindon trouble, but Vigouroux was on his toes to block, before James Constable headed wide from the rebound. 

Swindon, too, were limited largely to half-chances, with Nathan Delfouneso, Murray and Doughty all having shots that went high and wide from distance.

There was still time for Eastleigh to give Swindon a heart-in-mouth moment though when Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill blocked Wilson's shot off the line in second-half stoppage time, but Town held on for the replay.

The replay is set to be played on Tuesday, November 15.