IT was a job well done for Mark Collier’s Chippenham Town side as they safely guided their way past Sholing and into the next round of the FA Cup.

A depleted Town side headed to the south coast for the FA Cup first round qualifying tie knowing that a potential cup upset was on the cards against the lower league opposition.

An early strike from Luke Ballinger settled any nerves the visitors may have had and they were able to see out the rest of the game to book their place in the next round.

“It was a potential banana skin for us so I am very pleased that we got the early goal which was important,” said Collier.

“I think we went there and did a professional job to get us through.

“I know how important these cup games are and I had the chairman reminding me of that so I am pleased we came away with the win.

“I said to the players that when they looked at the papers the next day there would be a few shock results and to make sure that they were not one of them.

“I think our players were better organised than they were and I always look at the opposition to see if there is anyone I could sign but I don’t think any of their players were better than what we have already got.”

Already without eight players, Chippenham's squad had been reduced further in midweek with Ellis Dunton's decision to return to Cirencester Town.

Then in the warm up, Alex Ferguson, who had received a head injury in the midweek defeat to Weymouth, declared himself unfit just before kick-off.

His place was taken by Iain Harvey, who set up the winning goal after seven minutes as he played a quick free kick to makeshift striker Jordan Roberts.

Roberts played the ball across goal cutting out home keeper Matt Brown leaving Luke Ballinger to slot the ball home.

Chippenham defended their lead and restricted the Hampshire side for the remainder of the game to close out the game and leave Collier looking ahead to the next round.

“I think we would just like a home tie in the next round,” he added.

“There are some quite good sides in there still and there are some sides from lower leagues so we will just have to see what we get and go from there.

“But for now it is back to concentrating on the league.”

Meanwhile Cirencester Town face an FA Cup replay after a 1-1 draw with Shortwood United.

Cirencester took the lead early on against Shortwood, who had progressed all the way to the first round proper last season.

Former Shortwood player Mark Pritchett put the visitors 1-0 up in the fourth minute with a scissors kick finish.

Ciren were unable to hold onto the lead though and with the clock running out Ross Langworthy was able to finish off a quick counter-attack move to grab a draw.

The replay will be held at The Corinium Stadium on Tuesday, September 16, with a 7.45pm kick off.