Injuries ruled out Mike Lyness and Erden Artun, and John Pollard was suspended, but Dave Streetley was back in action after nearly a year's absence and a severe ankle injury.

Long-term casualties Phill Battell, Mark Emerson and Ross Barton were included on the bench following a new FA ruling that allowed clubs to name seven subs although play only three.

Right from the start Halstead were on the attack, APSA keeper Dan Higley punching away a cross from Danny Rowell, the first of many fine saves that prevented. Rowell went close again soon after when his cross-shot clipped the bar.

After 20 minutes APSA forced the first corner of the game which saw a let-off for Halstead when Danny Brooks' shot rebounded off the foot of the post into the arms of keeper Paul Wood.

Halstead had most of the play but were unable to make their pressure count until three minutes before the break when they took the lead through Chris Bryan, who rounded off a Steve Daly-Craig Newman move in fine style.

Two goals in the first seven minutes of the second half put Halstead in the driving seat, Daly driving home a Bryan cross from the right, which was followed by Newman curling home his third goal in as many games with a free kick from the edge off the box.

APSA hit back with a corner following a good run by Brooks but the contest ended on 67 minutes when Dave Barefield side-footed home a precise low cross from Rowell.

Higley kept Halstead at bay, and with five minutes left APSA gained a consolation from the penalty spot by Dean Summers following a very harsh decision by referee Franklin for a slight challenge by Andy Joslin.

Halstead Town: Wood; Joslin, Rowell, Falla, Devaux, Streetley (Austin 73), Saunders, Daly (Harper 73), Bryan, Barefield (Rayner 68), Newman. Subs (not used): Passfield, Battell, Emberson, Barton.

Halstead are home to UCL Stotfold in the preliminary round on Saturday, August 30.