Lower Breck manager Gary Moore took reassurance from their defeat away to Padiham as they were forced to defend with 10 men.
Kieran Holsgrove was sent off inside 10 minutes as their task intensified but the Lower Breck boss was pleased to see the fight-back from his side despite the clash ending in a 2-0 defeat.
In what has turned out to be a disappointing first season in the North West Counties Premier Division, it has been a tough lesson for the Breck.
This week also saw three depart as James Cottrell, Carl Peers and Kieran Halligan all departed but despite the league disappointment, their eyes are firmly set on a good cup run in the Macron Cup.
Moore told Off The Park: “We were disappointed to lose a man after seven minutes, it’s a blow. Story of our season at the moment with the sendings off and stuff like that.
“It’s another tough one, the lads have worked their socks off and then we’ve got a sin bin as well on 60 minutes so we were down to nine men for another 10. The lads have grafted and done all the can, we were going for it but it was a counter-attack that got them it.
“We were doing well, you’re gutted for the lads because they put in a massive massive shift. You thought you’ve done enough, hit the bar, had a great chance saved, we were certainly in the game thats for sure.
“We said to lads coming in, to lose a man after seven minutes, the run that we’re on, we could’ve died again, fell apart but we didn’t.
“We had a great couple of moments in the first half ourselves, to get in half-time 0-0 going down the slope second half, the lads were full of confidence. Losing the sin bin was a tough one, there’s no excuse, lack of discipline to be honest and that hasn’t helped.
“Ryan Beigan had to play up front, ran his socks off for 60-70 minutes and do it with nine men. It’s great in the moment when you’re in the game but full time, you’re just thinking what if, so tough [to take].
“It’s a cup to win, look at Wythenshawe they’re firing on all fronts, the Vase, the league, it’s a massive game for them. They’re on a great run, sitting on the verge of the treble, the league might be a push but a promotion and two cups would be an unbelievable season.
“Same for us, we’d love to end the season with a cup run, you’re in it to win it. We’re going to give it a good go, obviously the league campaign has been bitterly disappointing, we can’t hide that, at least we could finish the season on a high.”
