RYMAN League Chesham United are through to the third round of the Full Members Cup, but they needed 30 minutes of extra time to eventually see off first division Braintree 4-2 at The Meadow on Thursday night.

The Generals twice went behind before striker Victor Renner twice pulled them back to take it into extra time.

And Renner completed his hat-trick in the extra half-hour, but not before he had turned provider for Chesham's third goal of the tie.

Premier Division Chesham, who fielded a full-strength line-up, showed their intention early on to get on the scoresheet. Boss Bob Dowie played just three at the back Lee Kersey, Brian Statham and Jason Court, while two attacking wingbacks pushed forward with the rest of the side in search of a goal.

And it appeared to be working with Chesham enjoying the majority of the possession, pinning the visitors back into their own half as they played the more attractive football.

But Braintree, who had made several changes with a Division One top-of-the-table clash against Bedford on Saturday in mind, always looked a threat with their solo striker up front.

On 37 minutes frontman Jason Friend carried out that threat when he drew in the Chesham defence only to lay off to Lee Mertens who was charging down on the home goal. He buried his strike beyond the reach of Chris Tullett.

Renner pulled it back to 1-1 on 70 minutes when Braintree custodian Simon Morden spilled Chesham subs Scott Canham's deep cross. Renner was quickest to react to the loose ball, blasting it in.

Fourteen minutes later, in practically only their second serious assault on the Chesham goal, Braintree restored their lead.

Once again Chesham's defence found themselves drawn, giving the completely unmarked Paul Davey plenty of time to return the ball across Tullett's goal and in at the far post.

But Braintree hardly had time to think about their third round tie, with Renner once again levelling it with a glancing header.

Had James Pinnock's earlier strike not hit the woodwork before Michael Gorman's follow-up rebounded off the crossbar, that could have been the clincher, but as it was Chesham found themselves having to play 30 minutes more.

It was only in extra time that Chesham made all the possession they had enjoyed all night finally count.

Within five minutes, Terry Bowes had put them in the lead for the first time in the game when he stylishly turned and fired in Renner's cross.

Appropriately, Renner made sure of the win, curling in a strike from the left which the visiting keeper had no chance of stopping.

Both Martin Fox and Bowes could have made it more, only a brilliant save and then clearance off the line denying them. But by then Chesham had done enough.

Chesham: Tullett, Statham, Fox, Court, Kersey, Gorman, Bowes, Cooksey, Pinnock, Campbell, Renners. Subs used: Issott, Canham, Hall.