Harry Paton insists there will be no hangover from Ross County’s Betfred Cup exit.
The Staggies suffered a 3-2 loss to Partick Thistle after extra time at Firhill on Saturday, bringing an end to their unbeaten start to the season.
Paton, an extra-time substitute who grabbed County’s second goal, is not taking the defeat to heart, echoing the message of the club’s co-manager Steven Ferguson.
Paton said: “We’ve been undefeated until now and while it’s a bit of a setback, I know the boys will be looking forward to the next game in the league.
“We’ve had a good run and we want to keep going – I don’t think it’ll be a setback.
“It’s not going to be easy for any team in the league and while we were looking to go through in the cup, we were unlucky and fair play to Partick.
“We had a word after the game and said it was a setback, as our team is always looking to win. But it’s not going to get us down. We’re going to refocus for Saturday against Livingston.”
The Canadian midfielder, formerly of Hearts, scored his second goal for the club at Firhill, in the same competition he scored his first in 12 months ago.
He has played in four of County’s seven games so far and set up two goals for the club’s colts side in the 3-2 defeat to Raith Rovers in the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup in midweek. The 21-year-old has had to be patient for his opportunity but is ready and waiting when Ferguson and Stuart Kettlewell give him a chance.
Paton added: “Personally, I’m looking to take every chance I get. On Saturday I got a good 30 minutes and a goal, so I’m happy with that.
“I’m going to keep going in training, listen to what the older boys are saying and kick on. I’ve got to keep taking my chances. I need to be patient and be both physically and mentally ready.”
Paton came on for Joe Chalmers as the game went into the additional period and scored the equaliser in the 105th minute, tucking away from Iain Vigurs’ flick on.
He said: “Coming on in extra time the pressure was on but it was great to get the boys level.
“It was a shame we couldn’t finish it off with winning the game.
“I felt both teams were tired but we were looking to take it. It was kind of back and forth but a couple of set-pieces cost us.
“It’s frustrating because we’ve worked so hard on them – those are the goals that have put us out of the cup.”
