David Artell is looking forward to the ‘Magic of the FA Cup’ away at Eastleigh this weekend. The second round tie against the Spitfires is to be broadcast live on BT Sport with a chance to progress to the third round when the Premier League and Championship clubs enter the draw.

Artell is hoping that his in-from side avoid an FA Cup upset to the National League side but he knows that his players will have to be bang at it to make sure we do not suffer at exit.

Eastleigh have a fantastic home record and have previously beaten Crewe in the FA Cup back in November 2015. Their current boss Ben Strevens scored the only goal of the game via the penalty spot after Crewe had their goalkeeper, Ben Garratt, sent off just after the hour mark.

The Crewe Alexandra boss told the club’s official website: “We are all looking forward to the FA Cup. It still posseses that magic for me.

“The TV cameras are there because of it. There are potential banana skins all over the place and we have to make sure that we avoid our one.

“We went down to watch their replay against Stourbridge and it is a good club. It seems a really nice club and there are good people. We were mixing with the supporters and they were great.

“It is a good club and if I was an Eastleigh player then I would want to play there and for the club.

“Everything is set-up for success there. I saw them in the play-offs at Wrexham last season and they were very good. Salford ended up being promoted and we know the finances they have.

He added: “We know they can be a dangerous opponent and we will have to be ready.”