Sean McConville is determined Stanley will bounce back today against Newport – and knows it is down to the more experienced players like himself to pick his team-mates up.
Stanley suffered a shock loss on penalties to National League side Guiseley, who were down to ten men for 75 minutes, in the FA Cup first round replay on Tuesday.
It hit the team hard, especially after making the fourth round in the prestigious competition last season.
But now the full focus has to be on League Two – and the Checkatrade Trophy – and the wideman knows this starts today.
“The dressing room was down on Tuesday night,” said the 28-year-old. “Everyone felt it and it's up to the senior players to pick up the players, especially the younger ones, for today's game.
“We have to channel the negatives. The good thing about us this season is that we have never let one defeat become two, whenever we have lost one game we have bounced back immediately and we have got to use the same mentality today to bounce back.”
McConville scored against Guiseley during 90 minutes - he admitted he surprised himself by scoring with his head - and from the penalty spot but it was all for nothing.
He admitted it was a ‘miserable night' but going top on Saturday could make Saturday a happy night.
“People may look at Tuesday's result and think if we can get beat by a non-league side we are not a good team.
“But we haven't become a bad team overnight. One bad performance doesn't make us a bad team. I think the 40 minutes after I scored on Tuesday was the worst we have played this season and we have got to make sure it doesn't happen again.
“We have to step on the gas, play on the front foot and take the three points which could put us at the top of the league come Saturday night.
“If we go top on Saturday, the Guiseley game will go to the back of our thoughts.”