ANDOVER Town battled through to the first qualifying round of the FA Cup with a 3-2 victory over 10 man Spelthorne Sports.

Craig Stanley scored twice for Town, including a wonderful 30-yard effort to secure victory for the visitors with 15 minutes left to play.

Winger Adam Grange initially gave Andover an early lead over their Surrey based opponents when he sprung the offside trap and calmly slotted under Spelthorne goalkeeper Dane Buss.

However the Combined Counties League side struck back shortly before half time when Lee Staples tapped in a low shot from Joe Hughes.

Stanley restored Andover's lead after the interval, beating Buss with a low 20-yard shot after a bursting run down the right wing.

Spelthorne pulled level again moments later when Tommy Mooney dribbled through the heart of Andover's defence and slotted home from close range.

However Andover secured the win on 75 minutes after a brilliant 30-yard strike from Stanley sailed into the top left corner.

Spelthorne's Rob Smith was dismissed late on when he was given a second booking for a foul on Stanley.

But it did little to change the game as Town finished 3-2 winners.

The result means Andover progress into the first qualifying round, where they will meet Southern League Division One outfit Farnborough FC at the Portway on September 3.

Before then, they have a midweek fixture away in the Hampshire Senior Cup against Bournemouth Poppies, as well as matches against Bashley and local rivals Whitchurch United.