Hendon made the perfect start in their bid to retain the Isthmian League Cup, winning 2-0 away at Molesey in round one on Tuesday evening.

Manager Gary McCann was satisfied with his side’s showing and insisted the win was all that mattered against the Division One South outfit.

“I am pleased to have got through," he said. "We were very good in the first and could have gone much further ahead than 2–0. And while it was still 2–0, Molesey felt they could get back into the game.

“It was also good to get more players back. Others will be back in training later this week and this will only make us stronger.”

Midfielder Sam Murphy settled the nerves after 28 minutes by accurately taking aim from 20 yards to guide home a volley.

Leon Smith made it 2-0 before the interval with a fine curling effort past the despairing Molesey keeper after receiving a pass from Scott Shulton.

However, after a quiet first period Hendon goalkeeper Melvin Minter was tested after the break, making two impressive stops to keep the home side at bay.

McCann was full of praise for his summer recruit and said: “They really came at us, but Melvin Minter was outstanding in goal.

“I could not have asked for more from him. He is going to be pushing Joe Wright all the way. It’s always important to have healthy competition in all positions and Melv’s performance would have made all take note."

The Greens might have been left to rue missed opportunities as Sam Flegg and Mahrez Bettache both went close without finding a way past the Moseley stopper.

Elsewhere in the competition, Wingate and Finchley booked their place in the second round with a 1-0 victory over Harlow Town.

The Blues, who were dumped out of the competition in the first round last season by eventual winners Hendon, will be looking for their first cup success in five years.

In a lively start at Summers Lane it was away side Harlow who came closest to breaking the deadlock with former Reading and Stoke City defender Ibrahima Sonko heading over from David Cowley’s corner after just three minutes.

However, the home side responded instantly with Marc Weatherstone’s header parried out by Harlow keeper Nikas Freund - son of former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Steffen Freund - and from the resulting kick, the captain headed in Joe Sharpe’s corner after seven minutes.

It was Wingate who came closest to doubling their lead; Billy Healey’s effort landing just over Freund’s crossbar.

Freund had to be at his best in the second half to keep the scoreline down, keeping out an attempt from Mark Goodman before Tommy Tejan-Sie saw an effort incorrectly ruled out for offside.

Harlow did have their chances but Wingate keeper Bobby Smith was able to save substitute Billy Jones’ strike from ten yards.

Wingate were almost made to regret their profligacy, but Smith parried away an effort from Harry Prince to prevent a penalty shoot-out.