Barnes nets late leveller as Eastleigh earn FA Cup replay against Crewe

Posted Sunday, December 01, 2019 by PA

Substitute Marcus Barnes’ late equaliser kept Eastleigh’s hopes of a money-spinning FA Cup third-round tie alive after a 1-1 draw with League Two Crewe.

Barnes, having only climbed off the bench moments earlier, struck in the 86th minute to earn the National League side a replay.

A first-half mistake from Eastleigh goalkeeper Max Stryjek had looked to have gifted Alex a free pass into Monday’s draw, when he was beaten to a Tommy Lowery corner by Owen Dale.

But he made amends by diving full-length to tip Lowery’s shot onto the post in the last minute, breathing a sigh of relief as the ball rebounded onto his head and out of play.

That would have been tough on Eastleigh who stirred into life in the last 10 minutes as Crewe failed to turn their dominance into goals and paid the price.

Barnes was introduced as an 81st-minute substitute and scored with his first touch, applying the finish from close range after Crewe failed to clear a cross.

Crewe then had to rely on two saves from Will Jaaskelainen to preserve their place in the competition.

He first dived to tip away Tyrone Barnett’s powerful header and then repeated the feat by pawing away Andrew Boyce’s long-range effort.

Eastleigh might also have snatched a last-gasp victory but Charlie Seaman blasted a free-kick over from 20 yards.