Stephen O'Donnell expects St Pat's to instantly bounce back after pushing Shamrock Rovers all the way at Richmond Park.
The injury time concession of a winner to the Hoops' Danny Mandroiu cost the Saints a point and pushed Rovers five points clear of their Dublin rivals at the top.
The home side, after scoring early through Chris Forrester, lost their way in the first half and were lucky to go in at 1-1 at the break.
But O'Donnell was hugely encouraged by what he saw from his players in the second half.
"Our attitude now this week after that, our first defeat and proper set-back, will tell a lot," said the Saints manager.
"I've no doubt it will be positive because it's different if you're coming off the pitch and are chasing shadows and you've got well beaten, you think you're a good bit away.
"But if anyone saw that second half they know there's not much in it.
"They're proper good quality games between us. Some people say when there are no crowds, it lends itself to the tempo and intensity not quite being there.
"But when we play there's a good intensity and pace to the game, there's no quarter asked or given.
"If you switch off against good players you might get hurt but I'm happy with the progression we're making and the trajectory we're going in. The second half was another illustration of that.
"It's disappointing, but lots of positives too. I'll take a lot from it - in the second half I thought we were by far the better team, we were on the front foot.
"I enjoyed watching us, we had all the territory and played through them on numerous occasions."
Saints skipper Ian Bermingham didn't return for the second half after getting what O'Donnell described as a "big gash on his groin, a bad impact injury."
He will be doubtful for Friday's away encounter at Drogheda, but Robbie Benson is close to returning and centre-back Paddy Barrett should be available after a knock kept him out on Saturday.
O'Donnell defended another centre-half, Lee Desmond, after it was his mistake that led to Mandroiu scoring.
"The closer you get to your defensive end the more mistakes are punished," reflected O'Donnell.
"Obviously defenders and keepers, they live and die by that, you make a mistake in midfield or higher up and you might not give anything away.
"That's just the position. He's been brilliant for us so far this season, brilliant since I've come in.
"Everyone makes mistakes, it's just part of football and it's how you react to that."
