READING FC were dumped out of the FA Cup by National League Eastleigh as Paul McCallum’s 95th minute winner produced a cup shock.
The Royals thought they had done enough to force a replay when Femi Azeez’s rocket flew into the top corner in the 86th minute.
However, the Spitfires clinched the tie as McCallum poked in following a goalmouth scramble from a corner kick which saw them reach the third round for the first time in their history.
Reading started relatively comfortably in the opening quarter of an hour with the majority of possession.
Former Royals academy graduate Jake Taylor had the hosts’ first chance when the ball sat up invitingly for him to hit on the volley, but didn’t trouble Joel Pereira.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan looked to create in attack on the right when he got the better of George Langston and was dragged down by the defender just outside the box, who was shown a yellow card.
The resulting free-kick was wasted by Matty Carson who put far too much on his delivery which drifted out for a goal kick.
There was a break in play in the 16th minute as the Royals fans showcased their latest protest against owner Dai Yongge by launching tennis balls and fake pound notes onto the pitch.
After the restart, there was a sight at goal from Charlie Savage who couldn’t put enough bend on his shot to find the corner.
Taylor was the first player to go into the book for a heavy challenge on Ehibhatiomhan.
With 23 minutes played, Eastleigh worked a well crafted goal to take the lead.
Enzio Boldweijn breezed past Ben Elliott and worked the ball wide for Scott Quigley who whipped in a perfect delivery to the far stick for Paul McCallum to convert from close range.
With frustrations building, Savage was next to be carded when he flew into a sliding tackle.
Femi Azeez lifted a ball over the top to find the run of Ehibhatiomhan, who almost found himself in behind and one-on-one, but was let down by his loose first touch.
The Spitfires had the ball in the net for the second time in the match, but this one was ruled out for a foul.
Goalscorer McCallum shoved Amadou Mbengue to the ground before nodding the ball in, and also looked to be in an offside position as the goal was quickly chalked off.
Reading had a chance to draw themselves level with another free-kick on the edge of the box after some strong hold out play from Ehibhatiomhan brought a foul. Savage’s opportunity came but he lifted his strike over the bar.
Ruben Selles made a double change at the break and opted for experience with Harlee Dean and Paul Mukairu coming on for Carson and Elliott
Eastleigh should have added to their advantage in first-half stoppage time when a ball was threaded through for Quigley. He had the chance to roll the ball in for McCallum for a tap in, but instead opted to shoot and was prevented by an outstretched leg from Pereira.
Pereira had to produce another important stop early in the second-half when McCallum was left completely unmarked only to be thwarted by the Portuguese stopper.
Selles made two more changes before the hour mark as Sam Smith and Lewis Wing came on in place of Ehibhatiomhan and Savage.
Reading started to force some pressure to try and find an equaliser, including a teasing cross from Mbengue which proved too strong for Harvey Knibbs to latch onto.
Wing looked to make a quick impact from the bench and finally had Reading’s first shot on goal 68 minutes into the game before his half hearted appeal for a penalty on the rebound was waved away.
Reading’s dominance continued and the ball dropped for Mola to strike in the box, but the defender scuffed a wayward effort well off target.
The best chance of the half came for Smith when Mbengue sent in a delightful cross and Smith crept in behind the defence but headed over the top.
Reading’s final change saw Tivonge Rushesha replace Mbengue for the final 10 minutes.
Reading were finally rewarded when Azeez’s unstoppable strike flew into the top left hand corner in the 86th minute.
However, there was more late heartbreak for Reading when the hosts came up with the winning goal deep in stoppage time when McCallum prodded in from close range to send Eastleigh through.
Selles’ side are back in action in the EFL Trophy on Wednesday when they host Charlton Athletic before they are at home to Barnsley in League One on Saturday.
Eastleigh: McDonnell, Hodson, Francillette, Langston, Clements, Boldewijn, Atanhana, Taylor, Maguire, Quigley, McCallum
Subs: Clampin, Barlow, Scott, Nwabuokei, Panter, Rutherford, Tshaka, Harris, Yang
Reading: Pereira, Mbengue, Holmes, Mola, Carson, Craig, Elliott, Savage, Azeez, Knibbs, Ehibhatiomhan
Subs: Button, Dean, Smith, Mukairu, Hutchinson, Wing, Abbey, Rushesha, Vickers
Goals: McCallum 23’, 90+5′ Azeez 86’
