TIVERTON Town could hardly be in better heart as they prepare to entertain Bideford in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup tomorrow.

The visitors, who play a division above the Yellows in the Southern league, will start the match as favourites.

But league form often goes out the window when the cup comes along and Tivvy manager Martyn Rogers will be greatly encouraged by his side’s 3-0 demolition of Mangotfield at Ladysmead on Tuesday night.

There were question marks over the Yellows following their 2-1 defeat by Wantage Town last Saturday.

But the Yellows responded to that reverse in style.

Owen Howe put them in the box seat with goals in the 21st and 26th minutes. And Alex Faux put the icing on the cake with the third just three minutes from time.

Rogers made four changes to the side that were unlucky to lost against Wantage.

Adam Bilcock returned to midfield for the first time since being injured on the opening day of the season, Jesse Howe partnered brother Owen up front, and Tom Gardner and and Ethan Phillips also strengthened the ranks.

Last Saturday Tivvy missed chance after chance only to be sunk by two goals in the last five minutes.

Their Southern league clash at Ladysmead was only two minutes old when Josh Searle’s shot bounced off keeper Lee Farrow and Jimmy Hinds put the ball over the bar when it was easier to score.

There followed a succession of misses by Tivvy - Hinds had three efforts, Owen Howe had a shot saved before heading wide, then Khalid Badavi forced Farrow into an excellent save.

Wantage had a great chance in the 27th minute, a fabulous through ball found Sam Barder but keeper Chris Wright saved.

In the 51st minute Badavi went through but his shot went wide with just the keeper to beat.

He went even closer two minutes later but Farrow saved.

It was Owen Howe who gave Tivvy the lead with a header in the 71st minute.

Then with five minutes to go Luca Riccio’s deep cross was nodded in by Jimmy Deabill and Wantage stole the three points in the third minute of stoppage time with a superb 18 yard shot from sub Bradley Shaw.