The game burst to life right from kick-off as Daniel Fitchett fired a low effort which was held well by Thatcham ‘keeper Paul Strudley in the opening moments.

Joe Selman, who bagged a brace against Andover in the previous round, threatened a minute later but his attempt was blocked by the Salisbury defence.

But with just six minutes on the clock Salisbury were awarded a penalty after Michael Miller brought down Shaquille Hypolite-Patrick. Defender George Colson stepped up for The Whites and made no mistake in smashing the spot-kick into the bottom corner.

Clever trickery from Hypolite-Patrick gave Tobias Holme an opportunity to double their lead from the six-yard box but the forward fired high and wide.

The Blues were given a scare when Darren Mullins managed to get a touch on Colson’s driven pass through the penalty area but the midfielder’s shot was held.

Five minutes before half-time the visitors had doubled their lead. Hypolite-Patrick’s well-timed cross was first met by the head of Holmes before he followed up with a tap-in from close-range.

The Kingfishers thought they may have had a penalty when play resumed after Selman went down in front of Salisbury defender Kevin Amankwaah but the referee waved play on.

Fitchett had a big opportunity to kill the game at the start of the second half when he latched onto a loose ball to go through on goal but Strudley rushed out well to prevent further damage.

Town almost reduced the deficit moments later when George Jeacock controlled Jordan Williams’ swinging cross before firing wide.

Danny Robinson’s side continued to apply pressure and capitalised on a defensive blunder when a weak backpass allowed Felipe Barcelos to put his unchallenged shot past Thomas Smith to make it 2-1.

Salisbury thought they had ended any hopes of a comeback when Colson’s precise free-kick found Amakwaah’s darting run as the latter buried his header from close-range.

But Scott Rees made the score 3-2 when his curled strike from outside of the penalty area found the top corner in the 80th minute.

Thatcham thought the game was levelled in the dying embers when Miller’s headed goal was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Teams:

Thatcham Town: Strudley, Miller, Williams, Alexander, Angell, Day (C), Kelly, Willmouth, Jeacock, Barcelos, Selman

Substitutes: Barder, Rees, Westlake, Frank, Carrington, Morton

Salisbury FC: Smith, Colson, Sommerton, Dawson (C), Amankwaah, Oseni, Hypolite-Patrick, Mullings, Holmes, Fitchett, Young

Substitutes: Bentley, Betts, Knowles, Wellari, Rayfield, Bancroft