Paddy McNally believes Portadown have reason to feel aggrieved over their recent points deduction, but insists Niall Currie's players aren't dwelling on the body blow.
The Ports discovered their fate last Friday afternoon, just 24 hours before going out and beating Ballymena United 1-0.
McNally believes the basement side proved their character after having their 3-1 win over Newry City seven days earlier wiped off the records.
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And while Portadown have signalled their intention to appeal the penalty, McNally insists the players' focus is on their next acid test against Cliftonville this weekend.
He told Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast: "It was gutting to lose those points. We found out late on Friday afternoon, so the timing could have been better.
"It was on the eve of another massive game for us. But I said to the players, we can't control that.
"We went out and deservedly won the game against Newry. We deserved the points because we were the better team on the day.
"And it's the same when Newry beat us earlier in the season. They were the better team that day.
"So, we can't do anything about that as players. All we can do is try and pick up three points in our next game.
"The appeal is in, and hopefully sense prevails and we get those points back. In my opinion the club has done absolutely nothing wrong."
McNally added: "It says a lot about our character. It would have been easy to feel sorry for ourselves and go the other way.
"It sometimes feels like the whole world is caving in on you, but you can use that as fuel.
"We didn't want to give ourselves any excuses before the Ballymena game kicked off. We used the Newry situation as a positive.
"Thankfully we were good enough on the day to get the win."
McNally praised the reaction of manager Currie, who despite being left frustrated by the Irish FA disciplinary action hasn't allowed the points blow to fester within his squad.
"To be fair to Niall, he didn't change his approach. I have been impressed by him. His team talks have been excellent, and you see what Portadown FC means to him," McNally said.
"This is my fourth year at Portadown and I have seen good times with the club, and we are experiencing the other side now.
"I think Niall's passion for the club is very evident and I have been really impressed by him and his coaching team."
He added: "We feel we have turned a corner, but we are not getting carried away.
"We have to take the positives, and they were two good wins and there is no getting away from that. We deserved to win both times.
"I think the team is in a good place and we are training well, and the whole environment has lifted. And that's what winning football matches does.
"Everyone looks forward to training now."
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