BRACKNELL Town FC booked their place in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brimscombe & Thrupp.

Robins were pushed to the limits at Larges Lane on Tuesday night in a tough battle between the two Hellenic Premier clubs.

And while Brimscombe put on an impressive display, it was the home side who emerged victorious in the preliminary round tie.

There was little to choose between the sides for most of the cup clash, though Robins arguably edged it on chances alone.

They threatened to break the deadlock when Tom Barratt sent a diving header flashing wide of the Brimscombe post.

Robins midfielder Tom Williams then had a goal disallowed by the match officials to add to the Robins’ frustrations.

The visitors flew out of the blocks in the second half and were unlucky not to take the lead when a shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Robins keeper, Garry Aulsberry.

But Keith Pennicott-Bowen’s hosts survived the scare and finally got the goal they deserved to send them through.

Barratt won a free-kick on the edge of the Brimscombe box and Shane Cooper-Clark curled the ball through the wall and into the top corner for what proved to be the winning goal.

The Robins now face a trip to Southern League Division One South & West side Shortwood United in the first qualifying round on September 12. Before that they host Hook Norton in the FA Vase this Saturday (3pm) then Rayners Lane in the Floodlit Cup next Tuesday (7.45pm).

Meanwhile, Lewis Leonetti marked his debut for Binfield FC with a late winner in their 2-1 victory over Wokingham & Emmbrook at The Triangle on Monday.

The young defender joined the Moles last weekend from Combined Counties League club Windsor FC.

And he sealed a spirited recovery by Binfield after they had gone a goal down to their local rivals in the Hellenic Premier derby.

The Sumas needed three minutes of the second half to break the deadlock with the in-form Craig Howlett neatly sweeping the ball home at the near post.

Sumas were only ahead for five minutes. They failed to clear a free-kick and Lamin Sankoh forced the ball home from close range.

But it was Binfield who secured all three points when substitute Josh Howell’s corner was headed home by Leonetti.

Wokingham visit Flackwell Heath in the league this Saturday while Binfield go to Royal Wootton Bassett in the FA Vase (both 3pm).