BENFLEET’S Jai Reason helped ensure Eastleigh’s name would be in the hat for the fourth round of the FA Cup with a fine showing in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers.

With 50 minutes played, Reason, a former King John School pupil, sent in a fierce cross that Bolton defender Dorian Dervite could only turn past his own goalkeeper.

And it looked as though that would be enough to send the last non-league side into the next round, only for Darren Pratley to score an 87th minute equaliser, and send the game to a replay.

However, the late goal did nothing to dampen Reason’s spirits on the day he turned 26, as he tweeted after the match: “We were so close! What an atmosphere at the Silverlake too! Positive we are in the hat and get another bite at it!”

The draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup can be seen tonight on BBC One at 7pm with Eastleigh ball number 22.

And Reason won’t be the only south Essex professional keeping a keen eye on the draw.

Although he didn’t feature in Saturday’s 1-1 draw because of injury, Wickford’s Paul Hayes will be hoping to be back fit for Wycombe’s replay at Premier League strugglers Aston Villa.

Canvey’s Billy Knott and his Bradford side, who had such a memorable run to the quarter-finals last year, are also in the hat after drawing 0-0 at League One rivals Bury.

Michael Kightly and Dean Marney will both be hoping Burnley get a favourable draw after they saw off Championship leaders Middlesbrough 2-1 on Saturday while West Ham’s James Tomkins will again be hoping for another home draw after they beat Wolves 1-0 at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.