Forest Green Rovers host Harrogate town in League Two this afternoon, with the New Lawn side one point adrift of table toppers, and local rivals, Cheltenham Town.
After conceding a stoppage-time equaliser to Morecambe in an enthralling 2-2 draw on Tuesday night, right-back Kane Wilson explained how Rovers turned it into a positive experience.
“All the lads were really disappointed, it felt like a defeat. But the gaffer came in and kept it really positive, really constructive. He just said ‘Another game on Saturday, let’s go and attack that.’
“We changed our mindset in the dressing room after the game to just focus on the game on Saturday and almost forget the 90 minutes we had just played… We just have to bounce back now.”
READ MORE: FGR vs Harrogate Preview.
Three points on Tuesday would’ve seen Mark Cooper’s side climb to the summit of League Two, but instead, they lie in third, sandwiched between Cambridge United and Tranmere Rovers.
“You come in [post-match] and you look at the table, look at how the results went. Everyone does it.
“It hurt when we realised we would’ve gone top but we’re not worried. As long as we keep working. There are 13 games left and they’re all cup finals, massive games. We’ve got to kick on and get the points on the board.”
Wilson has only started eight league games this season, with four additional appearances off the bench, and was happy to finally get back to business.
“It’s been an up and down season for me, with injuries and different things on and off the pitch. It’s good to get back into the rhythm of playing football.
“I’ve been enjoying it. It’s coming to the crunch time of the season so I’m glad I can be back in the groove and be part of it.”
Harrogate pose a different threat on Saturday, but the Sulphurites – having been promoted last season – have impressed and currently sit 10th in League Two.
“We’ve got to be ready to win. I don’t think you can underestimate any opponent really,” said Wilson. “As we’ve all seen this season, teams are beating everyone, every week there’s a result that someone’s shocked with.
“We’re going to have to go in there all-guns-blazing, and be ready to go and grind out whatever the game requires us to do.”
As the business-end of the season approaches, Forest Green will be looking to cement their place in the automatic promotion places, but will undoubtedly have one eye on the title.
“It’s anyone’s league at the moment,” Wilson said. “All we care about is making sure that come the end of the season, Forest Green are in League One. That’s all that matters.”
Mark Robins’ side kick off at 3pm against Harrogate in what will prove to be another important tie in pursuit of League Two promotion for Rovers.