Colin Spence has told Irvine Meadow it's time to stand up and be counted after their shock Kilmarnock Pie West of Scotland League Cup exit at the hands of Craigmark.
The Medda co-boss watched his side throw away the lead twice as Conference A side 'Mark pulled off a famous 3-2 second round win on Saturday.
But he insists there's no time to dwell on the disastrous result and is rallying his players to push on in the league and secure their Premier Division status for another season.
To that end, Meadow - who sit just five points above a seven-team drop zone - host in-form Benburb on Wednesday night ahead of a trip to Beechwood Park on Saturday to take on title-favourites Auchinleck Talbot.
And Spence said: "We're going through a wee bad patch at the moment. The last few results have been poor and we're coming in for some criticism and rightly so.
"We have to take it on the chin and see it as a challenge. It's time for us to stand up and be counted.
"I don't think confidence is an issue. It's the same group of players that went on a 10-game unbeaten run earlier in the season.
"But our focus now has to be ON getting points on the board. We don't want to find ourselves dragged into a relegation fight.
"As hugely disappointing as Saturday was, it's done and we have to put it behind us. To be honest, Wednesday can't come quick enough."
Spence is wary of a Benburb outfit who have netted 10 goals and conceded just once in their last three games.
"We've been losing far too many goals recently so we will have to be stronger in that department," admitted Spence.
"Benburb are a physical side who go back-to-front very effectively. The park is likely to be heavy after Saturday so I'm expecting a proper battle."
Spence felt a combination of failing to take first half chances and a sloppy second half showing was the catalyst for Meadow's cup KO.
They led 2-1 at the break, Connor Boyd opening the scoring before Steven Tan's equaliser was quickly followed up by a stunning Mick Wardrope free-kick.
But the visitors were hardly troubled after the break and a Tan penalty levelled the scores once more before Craigmark boss Ryan Caddis netted the winner four minutes from time.
"We couldn't put the game to bed in the first half," said Spence.
"If we go in two or three goals up at the break it's game over.
"I thought some of our play was very good but we just weren't the same in the second half. It's been the story of our season so far.
"Craigmark sat in deeper after the break and tried to hit us on the break. You've got to give them credit because it worked.
"We said to the players before the game that these are the type of matches you can win three or four nil and no-one bats an eyelid.
"Lose, though and it becomes a headline. "
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