Mark Morsley's words to his AFC Sudbury players following the 3-1 derby defeat by Bury Town at Ram Meadow on Tuesday night.

Defeat ended an unbeaten run of 16 games, 14 in the Ryman League, and handed the advantage to division one north leaders Dartford, who are nine points ahead of AFC, having played two games more.

Morsley hasn't abandoned hopes of winning the title, and automatic promotion, but takes a pragmatic view. "If we can't be first, then we go for second place," he said.

"It's better to finish second on points than to win your games in hand and then finish second on goal difference. That would be a real downer going into the play-offs.

"It's possibly a good thing for us because we can now concentrate on ourselves and not think about Dartford.

"We probably need five wins to be sure of second place if the other teams win all their games.

"So there is plenty to play for, and I'm looking forward to Saturday and the rest of the season."

Crisis club Waltham Forest are the visitors to King's Marsh (3pm). Forest are seeking a new ground for next season, and are currently ground-sharing with Maldon.

"I am looking for us to bounce back," said Morsley. "I have no fear of defeat. The mark of a good side is how it deals with defeat. You have to take strengths from the bad feelings.

"What is important is how we train on Thursday night, and how we do on Saturday. We will roll out and fight again on Saturday, and I want a solid performance."

Morsley felt the weekend washout did AFC no favours. Saturday's home game against Enfield Town was called off. It has been re-arranged for Tuesday, April 15.

Then the Easter Monday game at Bury had to be put off until Tuesday. While AFC were inactive, Dartford picked up two more victories.

"Dartford winning both their games was bound to be on people's minds," said Morsley, "and we were not as strong as we would have liked to be.

"But I'm not going to blame injuries. Bury gave a technically good performance. Their attitude was better, and they were more up for it.

"In some ways it was the worst game we could have had at this stage. Local derbies are always going to be tough, and although they have play-off aspirations, Tuesday was about stopping us winning the league. If the positions had been reversed that's what we would have wanted."

Morsley and his players can escape from the pressure of the league on Wednesday when they travel to Dartford to meet premier division Ramsgate in the final of the Isthmian League Cup (7.45pm).

Ramsgate watched AFC on Tuesday. "I'm glad they did," said Morsley. "They won't have learned anything from our display.

"We have exceded expectations in the cup, so we can enjoy it. We will give Ramsgate a good game. It's away from the pressure, and it's one game I can and will enjoy."

Chris Bacon suffered a knee injury on Tuesday, and Luke Hammond an ankle injury. Both will see the physio tonight, as will Paul Smith.