John Mills scored a five-minute double as Didcot booked a trip to Bideford with victory at Loop Meadow Stadium in Saturday’s FA Carlsberg Trophy preliminary round clash.

It took the striker’s goals tally to 23 in all competitions in his last 16 games.

The hosts started well and soon took the lead.

Jack Longford robbed Alex Salmon, only for the Marlow man to bring him down in the area, with top-scorer Mills sending keeper Oneal Garnes the wrong way with the resulting penalty.

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Didcot made it 2-0 five minutes later when Longford headed onto the path of Mills, who chipped Garnes.

However, Marlow clawed a goal back when Lee Barney fired past James Foster seven minutes before the break.

But the hosts restored their two-goal advantage.

A long throw from debutant Andy Ballard was headed in by Adam Learoyd, for his first Didcot goal since rejoining in the summer.

Chances were at a premium in the second half, though Didcot had a scare when defender Jack Self cleared James Knight’s shot off the line.

Didcot Tn: Foster, Elkins, Organ, Self (Clark 76), Carnell, Learoyd, Heapy (Baines 84), Ballard, Mills, Haysham (Whitehead 30), Longford. Sub not used: McKirnan.

Attendance: 120.

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