PAUL Cox was a delighted man as his Barrow AFC side booked an FA Cup first round berth with victory over Tranmere.

Goals from Richie Bennett and Paul Turnbull fired AFC to a 2-1 success and a place in the hat for tonight’s draw.

“I’m over the moon,” said Cox. “I thought there was the basis there of all I have said about this group over a short period of time.

“We’re growing, and I don’t think anyone could argue with the result. I thought we beat a very good team out there today, and a very good club.

“We’re growing all the time. I’m over the moon that we’re in the next round, but more pleased with the crowd that was here, the performance we put on, and obviously the result.”

He added: “I told the boys before the game that if there is not a belief in this camp now that you can compete – not just compete, but beat the best teams in the league – then I don’t know much more what we can do.

“That inner-belief has come. I thought today we bossed the game and we deserved to win. We probably could have scored more goals – there was a save on the line in the second half that I thought was outstanding.

“Realistically we removed the threat that we were up against with a side with players who have scored goals all season.”

Looking ahead to the first round draw, which takes place on Monday evening, Cox said: “It doesn’t really matter to me who we play now. I’ve always said this in an FA Cup run, it’s the excitement of sitting down like the supporters for the draw.

“It could be a team above us, or a team below us. On any given day, the beauty of the FA Cup is that anyone can knock anyone out. We’re on a ride, we want to enjoy it, and make sure that this train keeps moving forward.

“The players are enjoying it, I’m enjoying it, let’s just get on board now.”