Chertsey Town returned to winning ways with a comfortable win over opponents from a higher level on Saturday.

Andover are currently bottom of Southern League Division One and, because their home pitch was unfit, the match was played at nearby Whitchurch.

The hosts might have taken in the lead when Ollie Treacher’s backpass was intercepted, but keeper Craig Bradshaw made a good save.

And it was Chertsey who went ahead in the 27th minute when Tom O’Regan latched onto a long diagonal pass and placed a shot past Andy Smallpiece.

Soon after, Dean Papali crossed the ball but, in throwing himself at the ball, Marcus Moody only managed half a contact.

Andover increasingly lost confidence and Town took a firm grip on possession. As half-time loomed, James McCluskey passed square for Trevor Charlery, who unleashed a 30-yarder into the net.

Andover’s hopes of a second-half revival ended within three minutes of the restart.

Smallpiece badly miscued when kicking away a backpass and Dean Papali returned the ball into the net.

The hosts might have pulled one back when Jack Francis’s slip let in Matthew Styles, but his effort was off target.

Things got worse for Andover when an injury left them with 10 men, their manager Andy Leader having used all of his substitutes.

Smallpiece had to save well from Steve Tyson’s header while, at the other end, Tyson’s slip let in Styles but he again fired wide.

Chertsey got their final goal four minutes from time when Matt Baxter curled home to book their place in the second qualifying round for the first time in eight years.