SUNNY Devon may be the destination but John Barton is in no holiday mood ahead of Worcester City's clash with Tiverton tonight (7.45).

The St George's Lane manager is demanding his side display a ruthless streak and keep a clean sheet against a team he considers as realistic title contenders.

Despite being pleased to get off to a 2-1 winning start against Hastings at the weekend Barton admitted he would have been happier with a 1-0 victory.

"We have got to starting putting some clean sheets together and that applies to the whole team not just the goalkeeper and the defence," he said.

"I would have been quite happy with a 1-0 win on Saturday and we need to start being more ruthless, meaner and tighter and start to look as if we want to keep a clean sheet."

Barton will have the same squad to choose from with only Michael Blackwood (toe) and Pat Lyons (back) cause for slight concern.

Tiverton boss Martyn Rogers is likely to start with in-form Jamie Mudge up front, who scored a late equaliser against Hinckley United on Saturday, and have the services of record signing Steve Peters at the back.

With five additions over the summer, including defensive duo Nathan Rudge and Rob Cousins, Tivvy have been strongly tipped to be one of the outside bets for the Dr Martens Premier Division championship.

"Tiverton look as though they could be a little bit more than just dark horses," said Barton.

"They play the game the correct way, have made a tremendous amount of progress and are within distance of getting into the top flight of non-league football which a few years ago would have been beyond their wildest dreams."

Former City favourite Paul Chenoweth will line up against his old club while skipper Jason Rees is back at Ladysmead for a second spell.

Keeper Paul Edwards, who was involved in a trade of punches which saw Jon Holloway get sent off in this fixture last season, remains a doubt so on-loan keeper Steve Collis stands by to make his second start.

Formcast: Barton's boys will do well to take a point from a 1-1 draw.