A home tie against Hitchin Town awaits Aldershot after they emerged convincing winners over Sutton in the FA Cup third qualifying round on Saturday.

The picture had been very different earlier in the week when the clubs clashed in the league, with Sutton proving the better team at Gander Green Lane.

Still smarting from that defeat, Aldershot started edgily at the Rec, despite fielding an attacking 4-3-3 formation.

An early strike from Sutton number 9 Rob Haworth forced a fine tip-over save from Gareth Howells.

Grant Payne and Stafford Browne linked up well for a counter-attack, but Sutton's defence held the line early on, limiting any shooting chances.

As the first half progressed, however, the home side grew in confidence and Lee Protheroe's strong shot forced Chuck Martini to turn the ball over the top.

Several corners resulted, but a breakthrough proved elusive and Aldershot must have feared their luck was out when an excellent Owen Coll header dropped just wide of goal.

But something had to give and the opening goal finally arrived on 41 minutes. After some neat interplay down the right between Protheroe, Coll and Mark Graham, the ball eventually fell to Browne who struck a sweet shot past Martini.

Aldershot followed up with a killer second goal on the stroke of half-time. A smart attacking move ended with Ollie Adedeji passing to Payne who duly tucked away goal number two.

George Borg's men kept up the momentum after the break and, with just four minutes gone, an on-fire Browne latched on to a Protheroe cross and nailed another shot past the visiting 'keeper.

Sutton, although effectively out of the tie, refused to lie down, but their attacking efforts were broken down with comparative ease.

A double substitution by the visitors on 62 minutes had little effect. Aldershot continued to turn up the pressure, and some delightful runs from Graham and Browne kept the crowd well entertained.

Sutton's Ryan Palmer was a dangerous long-range shooter and he and fellow defender Jon Palmer were the pick of the visiting team.

Howells' long throws, almost worthy of Schmeichel, continued to trouble Sutton, launching several high-speed attacks until Aldershot began to fade in the last quarter.

This was an assured performance from Aldershot. But, happy though he was with the result, and a £10,000 reward for reaching the next round, manager Borg said he "would rather have had the three points from the earlier league match.

"We played them off the park," he claimed, but admitted Aldershot's away form would have to be better if they were to win the league.

He added: "I am pleased for the lads. They took a lot of stick after losing at Sutton on Tuesday.

"We have bounced back quickly, and have the quality. It is just a case of doing it more often."

Aldershot: Howells, Coll, Chewins, Kirby, Townley, Protheroe, Graham, Payne, Holsgrove (Sugrue 50 mins), Adedeji, Browne. Subs (not used): Forrester, Rapley, Nutter.

Sutton: Martini, R Palmer, J Palmer, Mison, Arkwright, Honey, Corbett, Boothe, Haworth, Keevill, Akumoah. Subs: Taylor, Murray, Dunn.

Attendance: 1,961.