Ross County manager Jim McIntyre has challenged his players to prove Saturday’s defeat against Partick Thistle was a one-off.
The 2-1 loss against the Jags was County’s first since a 4-0 defeat against Aberdeen on February 7, ending an impressive unbeaten run of eight wins from nine matches.
The Staggies remain six points ahead of 11th-placed Motherwell who occupy the relegation play-off position, following Well’s 2-0 defeat against Hamilton Accies on Friday.
The Steelmen are County’s next opposition at Fir Park on Saturday, and McIntyre knows a victory would be a huge step towards ensuring the Dingwall side retains its top-flight status.
McIntyre said: “At times a defeat can give everybody a spark. We’re actually a goal better off than we were because of Motherwell’s 2-0 defeat. That’s the positive spin on it.
“We were disappointed with our performance on Saturday, but in the grand scheme of things we can afford for the players to have an off day now and again. Partick deserved their victory.
“One defeat in 10 matches is fantastic form and now it is a case of seeing how they respond to the loss.
“It was a sore weekend for everyone, because we got used to winning.
“We know exactly why we lost the match. Give Partick the credit because they won a lot of the individual contests and played some good stuff.
“We take it on the chin – like Partick took it on the chin after the previous two games we won against them the month before.”
McIntyre was pleased to welcome back Rocco Quinn as a substitute on Saturday, in the midfielder’s first match since suffering a hip injury in last October’s 1-1 draw against Caley Thistle.
McIntyre added: “Rocco has had a frustrating time. He did very well for us when I came in the door in September. We shifted him about and played him in a couple of positions.
“We knew he was toiling with his injury, but he played as long as he could for us and it was nice to get him back.
“The more options a manager has got at his disposal the better, and Richard Brittain is also building up game time with the Development League side.”