Ottery St Mary continued their affair with the Golesworthy Cup as the holders eased their way into the last eight of this year’s competition with a 2-0 success at Dunkeswell Rovers.

The cup tie was without a goal at half-time, but early in the second half the Otters took the lead when a well-flighted Connor Lovering corner was turned past his own goalkeeper by an unfortunate Dunks defender.

A second arrived later thanks to a smart finish from Tom Collins after some neat approach play down the flank.

Otters boss Dave Fairweather said: “The first half was a scrappy affair, but once we got in at the break and chatted about it, we found a way to win it.

“The pitch was larger than I had anticipated and the surface was very good for this time of the season. The wind was an issue, but we played with good tempo and were good value overall for the place in the last eight.

“It was one of those games when I always felt we’d win, it was just a matter of time as to when we’d get ahead. Once ahead it was very much game over!”

Fairweather continued: “That’s three straight wins for the first time this season and, more importantly I feel, back-to-back clean-sheet victories.

“Earlier this season we were guilty of conceding sloppy goals, but now I see much more of a steely determination about our defending and the concentration levels are so much better.”

The Otters can now sit back and see how the other Golesworthy Cup ties unravel before the draw for the last eight.

The remaining ties are; Farway United vEast Budleigh, Feniton 3rds v Newton Poppleford, Kentisbeare v Upottery, Otterton v Clyst Valley Veterans, Sidmouth Town v Awliscombe United,

Thorverton v Bravehearts (gbeing played at Willand Rovers on Tuesday, February 28 - 7.30pm) and Woodbury v Offwell Rangers.

As for what remains of the Macron League Division Four campaign, the Otters have three to play with Countess Wear on Saturday followed seven days later by a trip to Kentisbeare before ending the campaign on March 11 with a home game against Otterto,

Fairweather says: “These last three games are so important. I am hanging onto the hope that fourth, and maybe even a fifth placed finish will see us promoted art the end of the season.”

If the Otters can win their last three matches they’ll end the season on 42 points and the only side who could then stop them finishing fourth would be University who have six to play, but two of them are against title chasing Thorverton.