Colin Spence insists Irvine Meadow have no time to dwell on their derby defeat ahead of a 'massive' league trip to Glasgow to play Benburb.
An eight-game unbeaten run came to an end last weekend as North Ayrshire rivals Kilwinning Rangers left Meadow Park 3-1 victors.
Now Medda co-boss Spence insists it’s vital they bounce back immediately by trying to take all three points in tommorow's West of Scotland League Premier Division clash at New Tinto Park.
He said: “In this league you can think you’re doing okay, then all of sudden you can be looking over your shoulder. That could happen really quickly.
“We said to the players before the Kilwinning game that it was important to pick up points because we’ve been on cup duty the last two weeks and we’ve got more cup games coming up.
“We can’t afford to take our eye off the ball so the Benburb game becomes really massive for us.
“They are a good side and are there or thereabouts with us in the table. We need to keep picking up points.”
Spence admits selection issues are a cause for concern ahead of the weekend.
He was without five key men for the Buffs game and doesn’t expect the picture to improve much before Saturday.
He added: “By all accounts we’re a good team, but the Kilwinning game was maybe the first time we’ve been left a bit short.
“We had Kyle Faulds and Mick Wardrope missing through suspension, Graeme Boyd out injured and Fraser McMillan on holiday. We then lost Sam McCloy to injury in the warm-up.
“I think it’s the first time our squad has looked a wee bit thin. We didn’t quite have the personnel to change it from the bench.
“Kyle will be available again and we’ll maybe welcome one other back.
“It might be a case of bringing in a couple of the development players to help the boys out.”
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