The Terras were on the front foot from the outset and created a succession of opportunities, with goals from Mitch Beardmore, Tor Swann and Toby Holmes helping to secure a 3-2 win at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

Wells was delighted with the overall performance, but felt his side could have put the contest beyond doubt much earlier.

He said: “Really pleased with the team today. The lads were excellent. We were on the front foot from the off.

“I felt we were in control of the game and were the better side. Our biggest weakness today was we didn’t take all of our chances.

“It would have been nice if we had taken them. Toby doesn’t normally miss those one-on-ones, Tors had a couple as well.

“So, disappointed on that aspect, but they’ll dust themselves off and carry on. We still scored three and move into the next round.”

Wells reserved particular praise for Beardmore following his spectacular opener, a 20 yard free kick which nestled into the top corner.

He added: “Mitch was superb today. Everything he did was excellent and, to be fair, the last few weeks he’s been brilliant.

“So, really pleased with what he’s done and how he was today. It was a really good performance from him.”

Despite Weymouth creating enough opportunities to make the closing stages comfortable, their opponents had the chance to score from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time and take the game to a shoot-out.

But former Terra Jake McCarthy watched his spot kick come crashing back off the crossbar meaning there would be no late drama.

Wells stressed the need for his side to become more ruthless.

He said: “We’ve got to make sure that we’re ruthless and take our chances because the game should have been out of sight, really.

“The substitutes they made made a difference, had an impact on the game. I felt in the last 20 minutes, probably half an hour, was probably their best spell.

“The penalty could have gone in and taken it to a draw, which I felt would have been unfair.”

Wells also provided a positive update on his squad, revealing the half-time change involving Wes Fogden had been planned as Weymouth manage players returning to full fitness.

He said: “That was planned before the game. Wes and Bear (Tom Bearwish), bringing them back up, so that was timed.

“I’m fortunate to be in a position where I can swap those two like-for-like at half-time.

“It’s a big loss losing the skipper over the last couple of weeks with his shoulder, but he’s now back, so gave him some minutes today."

Wells also provided an update the fitness of Matt Neale, Brooklyn Genesini and Kieran Douglas.

He said: “Nealy, Kieran and Brook warmed up today, so they’ll hopefully be back in around it for next Saturday. Nealy probably a little bit longer.”

Asked specifically whether any could feature against Shaftesbury on Tuesday night, Wells added: “Maybe Kieran, maybe Brook. Nealy, no.”