EASTLEIGH boss Ben Strevens admitted he was “gutted” for his players after they exited the FA Trophy 2-1 at Notts County.

Harry Pritchard opened the scoring inside six minutes for the depleted Spitfires at Meadow Lane, before a double from Eli Sam turned the game on its head.

Sam’s second strike came just three minutes from time as Ian Burchnall’s Magpies progressed to the fifth round of the competition.

“I am gutted for the boys. I really am,” Strevens told the Eastleigh YouTube channel.

“The way they dug in for each other, battled, kept their shape and worked incredibly hard.

“Loads of them were so tired at the end because obviously they (Notts County) are a good possession-based team and footballers.

“It’s a real hard one to take.

“Their first one was excellent football, really good football. The second one wasn’t so much.

“The guy came inside, I don’t know whether he was trying to shoot or what he’s trying to do as he’s on the stretch.

“It’s gone bang, straight into the boy’s path, who turned it into the corner.”

Eastleigh visit Stockport County in the National League tomorrow.