Eastleigh fury at TV snub for Bolton Wanderers replay

Cup’s last non-leaguers attack ‘disgusting’ decision to blank Bolton tie

Eastleigh's Jai Reason celebrates his goal in Eastleigh and Bolton Wanderers' first FA Cup meeting this year (Getty Images)

Eastleigh midfielder Jai Reason has described the decision not to screen tonight’s FA Cup third-round replay at Championship side Bolton live on television as “disgusting” and hopes it can help motivate his club to pull off a shock victory.

This is the first time in more than 40 years that only one non-league club has reached the third round, with the Hampshire side having progressed this far for the first time in their history.

It took a late goal from Bolton’s Darren Pratley to deny them a famous victory at the Silverlake Stadium but a 1-1 draw means the teams will again do battle tonight – a match BT Sport and the BBC have overlooked for live TV coverage, along with a possible fourth-round tie at home to Leeds for the winners.

Eastleigh chairman Stewart Donald has made his anger clear and midfielder Lee Cook, formerly of Queen’s Park Rangers and Fulham, called it a “disgrace” – sentiments that appear to run throughout the team.

“I am going to use the word disgusting with you,” Reason said. “The BBC is the taxpayers’ channel – we pay for the BBC and we’re normal working people. We’re the only non-league side to get through and I just think they should have given a little back to the underdogs, and I know Bolton need the money.

“It’s disgusting. How can you be the only non-league team, a potential upset to go to the fourth round, and you can’t even get on the telly?”

Asked if being snubbed gives Eastleigh extra motivation to impress, Reason said: “Yes, definitely. I think BT Sport and the BBC have missed out on a good game here. The first leg had everything: it was a proper Cup tie, last-minute goals, big chances.

“It’s just a shame that we’ve missed out and maybe they’re going to miss out on a potential upset. We will just keep our heads down and let the football do the talking now.”

The snub is also a blow to financially stricken Bolton, who yesterday avoided moves in the High Court to have the club wound up. Bolton – who are bottom of the Championship – owe HM Revenue and Customs £2.2m and were given until 22 February to find a rescue scheme.

The club are £172.9m in debt and under a transfer embargo for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.

Trevor Birch, brought in by club owner Eddie Davies to conduct sale talks, said: “HMRC takes a very strict approach towards football clubs. Despite the club putting forward a solution, utilising funds generated from its assets that would have enabled repayment of its debt in full over a period of a few months, HMRC refused to agree to an adjournment to give effect to the plan.

“With that in mind, it is pleasing that the High Court rejected its wish to liquidate the club and that it has given the club time, either to raise funds and/or conclude a sale.”

Meanwhile, striker Shola Ameobi is set to play his final game for Bolton tonight. The 34-year-old former Newcastle forward joined on a short-term deal in October which is set to expire and Bolton cannot afford to offer him a new deal.