Rhys McCabe says he and Airdrie were left devastated to lose their Championship play-off final to Queen's Park, but it can't overshadow what has been a fantastic season for the club.
And he says the Diamonds must use that to charge them up for a League One title tilt next season.
McCabe's eighth goal of the season gave Airdrie the lead at New Broomfield on Sunday, but his superbly-struck free-kick was levelled five minutes later by Connor Smith, and Simon Murray blasted in a spot-kick late in extra-time to send Queen's Park up to the Championship, 3-2 on aggregate following Thursday's 1-1 draw.
But Rhys, who is keen to talk to the New Broomfield club about a new contract, says there are plenty of positives to take from what has otherwise been an outstanding season.
The 29-year-old said: "It's hard to take, but that's part of football. There are plenty of highs and lows.
"It's just how you dust yourself down and bounce back.
"I don't think it defines our season. Overall we've had a great season, with a young squad as well, and we'll learn from that.
"The quicker us older boys can help the younger lads through that the better.
"It makes us more determined to go for the title, that has always been the aim.
"We're a little bit unfortunate, given our points tally and Cove's great run as well, so we can't complain too much about that - we've had a great season.
"When you factor in the average age of the squad, the big turnover of players from the start of the season to changing a whole new, different philosophy in about the club, there are a lot of positives to take."
McCabe acknowledged that the coming season's League One is likely to be tighter, with Kelty Hearts coming up and Dunfermline Athletic dropping down, but says they've been over the course.
He has heard a lot of plaudits for Airdrie this term, but knows they need to regroup and try again.
He said: "I've heard people saying we deserved to go up, but the bottom line is that we haven't, so we've got to regroup and go again.
"It's going to be a tough league, with the teams that are in there, but we have nothing to fear.
"We've been through this for the last few years, slowly but surely we're getting one better, so hopefully next season we kick on.
"You've just got to get your head down. We've experienced this feeling, which isn't nice, so we've got to make sure that next season we maintain the same standards, and that it doesn't happen again."
Former Rangers trainee McCabe sounds like he wants to stay at Airdrie next season, but says the players will all take a well-earned rest before focusing on that.
He said: "We'll wait and see if I will be here next season. We'll have a sit down.
"We'll enjoy the off-season, it's back to nursery and kid duties tomorrow, so we had a wee evening on Sunday in recognition of the hard work we've put in.
"But the support here has been fantastic. I don't know how many were here on Sunday but if you look at attendances from the first season to now... that's due to the lads on the pitch and their performances.
"We've got to maintain that and hopefully kick on."
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