Alton reached the second round of the Hampshire Senior Cup with a 1-0 victory at home to Wessex League Premier Division outfit Andover New Street in the first round.

Darnell McDonald’s 77th-minute strike was enough to seal the Brewers’ progress at Anstey Park Enclosure.

After an even start, the game burst into life on 35 minutes when James Barnett’s shot hit the Andover crossbar. The rebound fell to Ric Campbell, who hooked his effort over the bar from close range and should have done better.

The visitors had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 44th minute when Claudio Herbert headed over from close range.

Herbert went close again in first-half stoppage time, but his point-blank shot was superbly saved by Alton keeper Theo Rust.

The visitors had one more chance before half-time, but Layton Tulk headed wide from a corner.

Andover continued to press after the interval, and Tulk hit the post on 57 minutes with a shot from just outside the box.

Alton grew back into the game and took the lead in the 77th minute when McDonald’s sweet left-foot strike from 25 yards out found the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

The visitors had a golden chance to equalise on 82 minutes when they were awarded a penalty, but Herbert’s dinked effort was comfortably saved by Alton keeper Rust.

The home side safely saw out the rest of the match to seal their spot in the next round of the Hampshire Senior Cup.

Next up for the Brewers is a home game against Sheerwater in the Combined Counties Premier Division South on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).