Eastleigh overcame a two-goal deficit to secure a 3-2 victory over Brentwood Town in their FA Cup first-round tie at the Silverlake Stadium on Saturday. The National League side avoided an upset against the Step 3 visitors with goals from Nelson Khumbeni, Josh Lundstram, and Aaron Blair following an early Brentwood lead.

Brentwood took the lead within two minutes when Bradley Sach converted a corner from Andy Freeman, heading the ball home at the back post. The Essex club then extended their advantage after 10 minutes through an unusual own goal by Eastleigh’s goalkeeper Nick Townsend, who miscontrolled a back-pass from Jake Caprice, allowing the ball to roll into his net. The goal sent the Brentwood supporters in attendance into celebration.

Eastleigh responded before halftime with Khumbeni showing composure to lift the ball over Brentwood’s goalkeeper Jack Giddens and reduce the deficit. Early in the second half, Brentwood’s Alfie Cerulli struck the post, narrowly missing an opportunity to restore a two-goal lead.

The National League side equalised through Josh Lundstram, who found the bottom corner of the net to level the score. The comeback was completed 10 minutes later when Aaron Blair capitalised on an error by Giddens, giving Eastleigh a 3-2 lead they maintained until the final whistle.

The win allows Eastleigh to progress to the next round of the FA Cup, while Brentwood’s hopes of causing an upset were unfulfilled despite their strong start.