Losing to your rivals is never easy but for David Healy the recent Big Two loss was a bitter pill to swallow.
The Linfield boss admitted the 3-0 defeat at The Oval a fortnight ago was a "tough night", not just for the events on the pitch but how things transpired off the pitch as well.
The derby was stopped twice after various objects were thrown onto the pitch from some Blues supporters behind one of the goals.
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Glentoran goalkeeper Aaron McCarey and captain Marcus Kane appeared to be struck by items in what Healy labelled "unacceptable" behaviour by those involved, which has subsequently led to a one-game stadium ban for the Linfield support.
While the club hopes that will be the end of scenes like that on the field Healy and players have put the loss out of their minds by picking up six points and two clean sheets against Carrick Rangers and Coleraine.
"The Big Two game was a tough night personally on and off the pitch," said the Blues boss.
"As a die-hard Linfield fan it was a tough one to accept and stomach.
"You don't define yourself by winning one game or losing one game.
"Of course it hurts and is frustrating but we always try and produce a response.
"We've done that in the two home games we've had since. It's important now that we try to carry it on."
Linfield sit seven points off leaders Larne ahead of their mouthwatering clash next Tuesday night.
Healy knows his side have to try and pick up as many points as possible going into the split as he admits it is hard to judge how teams will approach the final five games of the season with the final stages of the Irish Cup and European Play-offs looming large.
"We've three games until the split and five after it, we're probably going to need as close to maximum points as we can, certainly with the three games going into the split," he said.
"Anything can happen in the split. Teams may take their eye off it as they prepare for Irish Cup semi-finals of European play-offs.
"It can be very different to pre-split games as some teams may not go as strong as they would normally do as they have these other games in their sights."
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