Harborough Town boss Austin hoping Banbury United defeat will 'poke the bear'
Mitch Austin believes Harborough United's defeat at Banbury United may well have 'poked the bear' ahead of the home straight of the Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central title race.
The Bees were beaten 1-0 by the in-form Puritans, with boss Austin admitting his side were second best on the night.
Banbury enthusiastically celebrated their win which was painful for Austin and his players to take, but the Harborough boss feels suffering what was only a third defeat of a brilliant season will spur the team on.
"We won't give up, and this defeat won't define what we are about," Austin told @HarbTownFC. "If anything, they have just poked the bear a little bit.
"When I get doubted I work a little bit harder, and that will reflect on the players, and I am not saying we didn't work hard on Tuesday, so let's see what the next one brings."
The loss saw Harborough stay second in the table and four points adrift of leaders Spalding United, but they are still in the box seat for the title as they have three games in hand.
The Bees are quickly back in action on Saturday as they host a Worcester City side that are still very much in the promotion play-off picture.
Promoted via the play-offs last season, Worcester have enjoyed an excellent first season back at Step 3, and will arrive at the Bee Hive sitting eighth in the table and just two points off the top five.
They are on a five-match unbeaten run, winning four of those, with their latest success seeing them triumph 2-1 at Bishop's Stortford on Tuesday night, and Austin is anticipating a difficult clash.
"I have a lot of time for Worcester's gaffer (Chris Cornes) and that is another tricky game, but there are no gimmes in this league," said Austin.
"We just have to keep being the best we can be. We will get back in training, reflect on things, and then go again on Saturday. What else can we do?"