Alton produced a devastating first-half display to brush aside Molesey to advance in the Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup.

Striker Siph Mdlalose found the target from the penalty sport after four minutes, and then followed that with a fine finish ten minutes later.

Oli Page wrapped things up before the interval, heading home after a pacy move had opened up the visitors’ defence.

After that it was a case of seeing the game out – and they did that comfortably, with keeper Lewis Mees having a fairly quiet night.

Manager Kevin Adair said: “I always enjoy winning and keeping a clean sheet.

“In the first half we did what we needed to do to get the result, and in the second half we managed things. We were a little wasteful with the ball at times but the main aim was to get through the game unscathed.

“Siph took a bit of a knock at the end and we will have to assess the injury to see if he will be fit for Saturday’s home game against Cobham.

“We set up slightly differently after our recent good run and, being at home, we were a bit more positive and wanted to get on the front foot a bit more. We got off to a really fast start and for 20 minutes we were really good, and then let them back into the game.

“We managed the second half very well and that’s something we didn’t do in August and September.

“We took our goals well – we will always create chances as we have a lot of pace and it was good to see Siph score another couple – he’s our top scorer and important to us.

“There were probably times we could have put our foot on the gas and tried to score more goals, but that wasn’t what we needed to do.

“We sometimes got a bit impatient with the ball in the second half and that’s something we have to get used to – we can’t get bored having the ball. Other teams will get bored chasing it, and areas will open up – we have to be willing to keep moving the ball around.

“We will go into the Cobham game on Saturday confident – we are always confident when we play at home. They’re in and around us in the table so it would be good to win it.”