In the end, City had to settle for two goals from leading scorer Craig Duff, to take his season’s tally to 12 and Ryan Brett’s first of the season, as they eased into a place in Monday’s draw and also won £2,700 in prize money.

From the start, City were in command as they surged forward and went ahead after only five minutes when Lee Morley was penalised for handball as he went up for a challenge.

Duff’s spot kick gave Norris no chance and City were up and running.

The visitors’ goal bore a charmed life as Matt Wright headed straight at Norris, who then denied Barry Hayles.

However, City finally managed a deserved second seven minutes before the break, when Brett forced the ball home after White’s cross fell to him six yards out after being parried by Norris from an initial header.

The second half followed a similar pattern, despite City being against the wind, with again Norris performing heroics to deny Hayles and substitute Cody Cooke.

But the keeper had no chance when Hayles fed White on the right and his low cross was swept home at the near post by Duff to make it 3-0 in the 69th minute.

Egham hardly threatened Kyle Moore’s goal as the City defence, in which new signing Ed Palmer made his home debut, kept their third clean sheet in four matches.

Now City will be hoping for another home draw in the second qualifying round which takes place on Saturday November 15.

City: Moore; Farkins, Palmer, Duff; White, Lowry (Green 76), Ash (capt), Duff, Brett; Hayles (Afful 72), , Wright (Cooke 56).

Subs (not used): James, Searle.

Yellow card: Pugh

EGHAM TOWN: Norris; Gondwe, Quashie, Harkin (Mathew), Muldowney, Morley (Williamson h-t), Andrew, Chandiram (capt), Read, Stanislaus, Antonio. Subs (not used); Byrne, Chandler-Joseph).

Yellow cards: Morley, Antonio.

Goals: Duff (6 pen) 1-0, Brett (37) 2-0, Duff 68 (3-0).

Crowd: 302.

Referee: Scott Jackson.