TOM O'CONNOR says the best way to get over the disappointment of being knocked out of the FA Cup is for Wrexham to continue the excellent start to the League One campaign.
Phil Parkinson's side go into tomorrow's top of the table clash against Mansfield Town at The Racecourse smarting from Sunday's 1-0 first round defeat to League Two Harrogate Town.
It was a below par performance by Wrexham who reached the fourth round of the competition in each of the last two seasons, meaning the Reds are left to concentrate on the league.
The back-to-back promotion winners have hit the ground running this season and are currently third in the table with 25 points from the opening 13 games, and O'Connor is in no mood to let the good work go to waste.
"We have had great days in the FA Cup the last few years so we are very disappointed that we are out," said the centre-back.
"We know we could have played better but these things happen.
"Full focus can now turn to the league and hopefully we can bounce back on Saturday, put things right against Mansfield and get back to winning ways.
"We are third in the table so we would have taken that at this time of the year."
Wrexham, four points behind new leaders Wycombe Wanderers who thrashed Stockport County 5-0 in midweek, face a tricky test against Mansfield who secured automatic promotion from League Two alongside the Reds and the Hatters last season.
The fourth placed Stags are only one point behind Parkinson’s men but O’Connor hopes the excellent home form, with Wrexham winning their opening five league games at The Racecourse before drawing 0-0 with Huddersfield in the last outing in north Wales, continues.
"We know Mansfield quite well from last year and they are flying high as well," said the defender, who is one of four Reds' players to start all 13 league matches this term.
"They have carried their momentum as well so it will be another tough test but hopefully we can get one over them like we did last season at The Racecourse and keep up the good home form."
Wrexham have made The Racecourse a fortress under Parkinson and although O'Connor says the players don't take the excellent home form for granted, he says having the backing of a raucous crowd is a huge boost when the Reds need a lift in close games.
"If the game is tight, we are level or there is one goal in it, the crowd can help suck the ball into the goal," said O'Connor.
"Definitely over the last few years, the Racecourse has been a real fortress for us but we don't take it for granted.
"We know teams are going to come here and try to stamp their authority and do their best to get something from the game.
"We know we will have to be up for it against Mansfield but hopefully with the crowd behind us, we can get over the line."
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