Blyth Spartans 1 Worcester City 2 (Match Reaction)

Despite suffering a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Worcester City at the weekend, Steve Cuggy maintains that his Blyth Spartans side are going to approach the cup clash at Whitby on Saturday in a positive fashion.

"There's no dip in morale whatsoever." said the Blyth manager.

"Obviously nobody likes to lose a game but we're not too downhearted and we'll be approaching the Whitby game in a positive way." added Cuggy.

Spartans found themselves two goals down within the opening 26 minutes of a dismal first half for the hosts at Croft Park on Saturday with Cuggy saying: "It's the worst we've played all season."

He added: "There was no tempo in our play and the passing was terrible.

"All we can do is apologise to our supporters who have paid good money because that just wasn't good enough."

The hosts improved after the break and pulled a goal back in the final five minutes, with Lee Mason getting on the score-sheet for the first time in his Spartans career.

Cuggy said: "We knew we didn't have many attacking options on the bench so we couldn't really change it around.

"Our aim was to win the second half and see where that took us and at least we competed.

"It was a bit better to be fair." added Cuggy.

Cuggy was pleased that Blyth's goal scorer took his advice at half-time to produce a better second half performance.

He said: "I wasn't happy with him in the first-half and I told him that at half time.

"But to be fair in the second half he played a lot better and he's took his goal really well."

Cuggy added: "He's got pace and when he gets into areas he can finish.

"He's a young lad and I don't think we've seen the best of him yet."

Cuggy is looking forward to welcoming his talismanic striker and Captain Graeme Armstrong back in to the side for the FA cup 3rd Qualifying game at Whitby Town on Saturday.

"Graeme has had a back problem but he will train this week and providing everything is okay he'll be back in the side." said Cuggy.

Armstrong could be joined in the squad to face Whitby by three more forwards as Glen Taylor and Phil Bannister are both close to full fitness and new signing Richard Offiong should be granted international clearance by the weekend.

Speaking ahead of the trip to Whitby's Turnbull Ground, Cuggy said: "There will be a load of Blyth fans down there which will be greatly appreciated by myself and the players and hopefully we can win the game because we all know what that will mean in terms of prestige and finances for the club."