EASTLEIGH boss Richard Hill paid tribute to the fans for sticking with the team during their 3-1 defeat to Newport County in Tuesday's FA Cup third-round replay.

In front of more than 5,000 at Silverlake Stadium, the Spitfires threatened to cause another cup upset especially when Paul McCallum hammered home a stunning equaliser.

It was not to be, though, for the hosts who were ultimately seen off by their League Two opponents, who will now face Manchester United instead in the fourth round.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent after the game, Hill praised the supporters for the atmosphere they created on one of the biggest nights in Eastleigh's history.

He said: "The cup run has been great hasn’t it, it’s brought a lot of exposure to the football club and it’s brought the fans out.

"To beat Reading was great and the performance against Boreham Wood was probably one of our best performances of the season.

"The fans were brilliant tonight. They deserve a lot of credit. They stuck with us till the end.

"I know I divide opinion with a few of them but even those supporters, I have got to thank them tonight. They were brilliant like they were in the first game."

Reflecting on the defeat to the Welsh side, Hill acknowledged his team were just not quite as good as their opponents on the night.

After McCallum brought Eastleigh level, the visitors stepped it up in the final half-hour to take the tie away from the home side with goals from James Clarke and Will Evans.

Hill continued: "I think this will be a game in time that I would like back again but give Newport credit.

“Over the time I’ve been at the club, the three stints, looking back I always said the one game I’d want back is the Grimsby game and in time this will be a game I’d like back again."

Attention will now turn to the National League for Hill and his Eastleigh side but he insisted the cup defeat "hurts" due to what was at stake and the potential meeting with the Red Devils.

The 60 year old continued: "The prize for this was massive and I think that’s what hurts the most.

"The prize would have been being around the (Manchester United) players that were coming here. It would have been a great occasion for everyone connected with the football club."

The Spitfires will now have to pick themselves up for a huge National League clash against Oldham Athletic on Saturday.

They are still in the play-off hunt despite last Saturday's 1-0 loss to Southend United but the response from this week's events will be vital for the south coast club.