COMEBACK kings Eastleigh are sweating on the fitness of rearguard colossus Rob Marshall for Wednesday's FA Cup replay at home to Tiverton Town (7.45).
The former Fleet defender broke a finger in Saturday's 3-3 thriller at Ladysmead, where he played a huge part in dragging Eastleigh back from a seemingly hopeless 3-1 half-time deficit.
Having taken an early lead through defender Lee Bright, Paul Doswell's men were floored by three goals in a fast and furious eight-minute bombardment from Tivvy - Chris Vinnicombe, Jamie Mudge and David Steele the scorers.
But with Marshall reverting to central defence from right-back, Eastleigh were a different proposition in the second half.
Lively substitute Tyronne Bowers reduced the arrears from 20 yards and ex-Saint Martin Thomas rapped in the 76th-minute penalty leveller following a foul on Martin Beck.
Director of football Mark Dennis said: "Our first-half defending was a shambles, but we looked a different side in the second half. Robbie Marshall was awesome, but it looks like he could miss Wednesday. We're trying to get a cast for his finger so he can play, but what happens if he falls on it? He'll be a massive loss to us if he's out."
Dennis's old Dell mucker Steve Williams went along to watch from his Devonshire home. "He thought it was a terrific match," said Dennis. "Tiverton try and play their football the right way, like we do, and Steve said he couldn't see a way back for us at half-time.
"But they crumbled in the second half, though, and we should have won it. James Stokoe forced the best save of the game with a header and, with about two minutes to go, he had a great chance to win it, but his shot hit a defender's foot and went over for a corner.
"If that had gone in it would have been the greatest comeback since Lazarus!"
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