Brentford reunion for Martin Allen as Eastleigh beat FC Halifax
National League side Eastleigh dug deep to claim a 2-0 win over 10-man FC Halifax and set up an Emirates FA Cup third round reunion with Brentford for boss Martin Allen.
Two goals from Scott Wilson before half-time, including one from the penalty spot, were enough to see off their National League North rivals, who had Scott Garner dismissed.
The first sight of goal came in the 10th minute when Jordan Sinnott's delivery was just too high for Tom Denton and Ryan Huddart punched clear.
Luke Coulson's composure failed him after 18 minutes when the Eastleigh man broke through a tackle only to curl his effort wide with time to pick his spot.
He was nearly made to pay two minutes later when Matt Kosylo took advantage of a poor Huddart kick, but the on-loan Arsenal man made amends with the stop.
Eastleigh took the lead shortly before half-time, with Wilson tapping home from close range from former Oxford striker James Constable's wicked cross.
But shortly afterwards Coulson was fouled in the box by substitute Josh Macdonald, who had come on for the injured Sinnott, leaving referee Richard Clark to controversially point to the spot.
Wilson doubled his tally for the night and made it three goals over both ties to howls of derision from the home faithful mystified by the decision.
Macdonald was straight back in the action after the break; his right-footed volley appearing to strike Reda Johnson's right hand.
Referee Clark angered the 1,539 MBI Shea Stadium crowd by giving a corner and not a penalty.
FC Halifax's miserable night was compounded when Garner was given his marching orders for elbowing Eastleigh's Jai Reason in the 84th minute.
The win means Eastleigh travel to Griffin Park to face Brentford, representing a huge turnaround after requiring a 90th-minute equaliser in the first game to force a replay.
Source: PA
