Hillingdon created the first opportunity on goal, a poor kick from Daventry keeper Richard Morris, presented Boro centre forward Sam Hurrell, with a shot on goal which he hit over the bar.
Scott Cross tapped the ball into the net soon after, but was ruled off side, just before defender Joe Henderson, making his debut start for Daventry, was given a soft yellow card for a tackle on Sam Sharples.
Daventry created plenty of chances, the strike partnership of Ashley Robinson and Scott Cross had numerous efforts on goal, but poor finishing and some good goalkeeping prevented Town from taking a lead.
Robinson put a header wide of the post and Scott Cross shot wide, when given clear openings in front of goal before Hillingdon centre forward Sam Hurrell had another excellent chance to score, keeper Morris coming out of his goal to head a ball forward, presenting Hurrel with an open goal, but Hurrell put his shot wide.
Daventry took a deserved lead when Captain Liam Dolman collected the ball from a corner and despite an attempt to pull him back, passed the ball between the defenders legs and placed a perfect ball for Ryan Howell, to stretch and head past the beaten keeper Luke Dennison.

The second goal never arrived despite numerous efforts on goal, much to the frustration of the Purple Army, anxious to see their team avoid the real possibility of a replay.
Robinson was put through by Scott Cross a minute into the second half, but his shot hit the crossbar, and was then turned over the bar by the keeper, for a corner.
Robinson also had a shot cleared off the line by the keeper’s boot, when it looked like a certain goal, Ryan Howell also managed to beat the keeper with a shot, but his goal bound effort was cleared by a defender.
Ashley Robinson had several other efforts saved by the keeper, but Daventry were unable to finish the game off with a second goal, Boro coming close to grabbing an unlikely equaliser with a shot from Robert Laney, which whistled past the post in the closing minutes.

Daventry Manager Darran Foster reflected on the game, ` We made hard work of the game today, but that's the thrills and spills of the FA Cup! Overall a good victory and we go on to the next round.

Daventry keeper Richard Morris summed up the game from his viewpoint, `It was another win and another clean sheet. At times it was not pretty to watch, but it’s another big win, which takes us further in the FA Cup`.

Daventry held on to go through to the first qualifying round, at home to Berkhamsted on Saturday 14th September at Communications Park.

Daventry are at home this Tuesday 3rd September, playing Leighton Town for three very important league points.

On Saturday (7th September) Daventry visit big spending Royston Town, tipped by many to win the league this season.
Royston were surprisingly held at home 3 – 3 by Northampton Spencer in the FA Cup last Saturday.

Jim Davis
Sports Writer