EVESHAM United were made to work hard for their 2-0 FA Cup win over lower-league Tuffley Rovers but did book their spot in the first round of qualifying on Saturday.

Tuffley had managed to dig their heels in for the majority of the contest but Levi Steele finally broke their resistance in the 64th minute.

Amer Awadh then doubled the lead and pretty much sealed the victory for The Robins 16 minutes from time.

Steele did have a chance to make it 3-0 shortly after from the spot, but his penalty was saved Luke Merchant.

In the end, the win was deserved for Mike Ford's men, even if they did make hard work of it. They will now wait to see who they get in the draw, which will be made at lunchtime on Monday August 21. 

The first half was a low-key affair but Evesham did have a couple of standout chances.

Just before the 20th-minute mark, Steele was put through on goal but his effort was saved magnificently by Merchant.

Five minutes before the break, Ethan Moran weaved his way into the box and curled an effort toward the top right corner but it was again saved again by the impressive Merchant in the Tuffley goal.

The second half felt like a completely different game with chances at both ends.

Steele thought he had given Evesham the lead on the hour mark but his effort was ruled out for offside.

But he wouldn't be denied soon after as Awadh’s effort inside the box was saved by Merchant, only for The Robins’ number nine to finally find a way past the keeper on the rebound.

Awadh made it two ten minutes later with a cool finish from inside the D, stroking it past Merchant.

Evesham were well on top by this point and when Moran was fouled in the box, Steele had the chance to make it three. But Merchant, deservedly, saved the spot-kick to at least keep the game alive.

But they were unable to create a chance and so they were knocked out of the cup and Evesham progress.