PAUL Cox is as excited as ever about the prospect of tonight’s FA Cup first round draw for Barrow AFC.

The experienced manager saw his side book their place in the hat for the draw with a 2-1 win over National League rivals Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.

Goals from Richie Bennett – his seventh of the season to make him the lone top-scorer at Holker Street – and Paul Turnbull – his second in as many matches – pushed the Bluebirds to victory.

Rovers managed only a single shot on target across the 90 minutes, relying on an own-goal from Moussa Diarra to provide their contribution to the scoreline.

The result leaves Barrow in the mix with 48 League One and League Two sides tonight, as well as 32 non-league clubs who came through the last qualifying round stage.

Cox would not pick out a specific team to be drawn against – although there is the prospect of a reunion with former club Mansfield Town, or a tie against the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Sheffield United or Portsmouth – but admitted to an element of excitement at the draw he has had for many years.

“We all know that the league is our bread and butter, but the FA Cup is a little bit special – anybody who doesn’t get excited and have that anticipation of the balls coming out of the bag really shouldn’t be in the game,” Cox said.

“I’m 44 years of age now, I’ve been there, seen it, done it in the game, and it still thrills the hell out of me when the draw is made.”

The journey to the first round marks the first time since the 2012/13 season AFC have been in the hat with the Football League teams.

Cox was delighted with the performance which earned them their spot, as they showed the same form which has carried them to 10 games unbeaten in the National League.

“I’m delighted,” Cox said. “You looked at the game and it had all the hallmarks of tie of the round – two teams, one ex-Championship with a huge squad and ambitions of getting back in the Football League, and little old Barrow, who are trying to build, trying to improve, and who are on a rich run of form.

“There were all the hallmarks of a very tough game for both sides, and the pleasing part for me was the belief the players showed in themselves as a unit, as an individual. I don’t think anyone could question that we were the better side and that we deserved to win the game.

“It is paying dividends now that some of those bad parts from the earlier part of the season, we are starting to learn from them. I’m over the moon with everything – the performance, the result, the smiles on everyone’s faces, the anticipation of the next round. We’re here to enjoy it, and we’ll enjoy the next round.”

He added: “I look round and I saw five or six Tranmere players sat in the stands who could all play in the higher reaches of this league for any football club.

“It’s a big club we have beaten today. It was a tough game, and the most pleasing thing about it is the belief, the confidence around the football club – not an arrogance – because there is a confidence among the players. My biggest problem is making sure that we don’t get arrogant, we don’t start to rest on our laurels.

“We’re building, we’re growing, and I think that’s making a lot of people happy within the club, and outside it as well.”

The draw will take place at around 7.15pm tonight. See www.nwemail.co.uk for details of whom Barrow have been paired with.