HALESOWEN Town assistant manager Matt Clarke has backed his players to put their FA Cup disappointment behind them and continue their improved league form.

The Yeltz failed to set up an derby clash with rivals Stourbridge as they crashed out of the competition at the hands of Nantwich Town on Tuesday night.

They suffered a 2-1 away defeat in the third qualifying round replay after the sides had previously drawn 1-1 at the Grove last Saturday.

Goals in each game from hitman Kaiman Anderson wasn't enough for Hales to book a home tie against Stourbridge in the next round.

However, they are unbeaten in their last four league games and Clarke believes they can now pick up where they left off when they welcome Ashton United to the Grove this Saturday (3pm kick-off).

He said: "The players are gutted to have lost against Nantwich. We were dangled the carrot of a tie with Stourbridge but just couldn't do enough to get through.

"I don't think it was a case of looking too far ahead, we knew it would be tough against Nantwich.

"We did very well overall, particularly in the second half, but had a lot to do after gifting them two goals. Looking back, our best chance of going through was probably in the first game when we got our noses in front. We should have seen the game out from that point.

"We now need to pick the players up in training this week and move on quickly.

"They will be fine though. We have some big characters in the squad and they will help us put it to the back of our minds. It's disappointing but there will be some more big games to come this season, especially if we can pick up where we left off in the league.

"We were doing well and can now look to build that momentum again."

The Yeltz will be boosted this Saturday with the return of Kennedy Digi, who wasn't allowed to play in the cup by parent club Kidderminster Harriers, and the cup-tied Lee Chilton.

Jordan Goddard also took another step towards full fitness against Nantwich on Tuesday night.

Anderson's two goals against the Dabbers take his total for the season to double figures and nine in his last nine games.

"He is in great form at the moment and it's great that we have him with us until January," added Clarke.

"There is no reason why that figure can't double over the next few months."