TNS travel to old rivals Llanelli tonight (Friday) with manager Scott Ruscoe adamant the midweek mauling of Aberystwyth Town will now stand as a marker for the remainder of the campaign.

Ruscoe was pleased with the reaction from the surprise weekend IRN-BRU Cup defeat at the hands of Scottish League side Queens Park as the Oswestry side fell at the first hurdle of the cross border competition for the first time.

“Ruscoe said: “It was a really good professional performance against Aberystwyth, full of energy and chances.

“We showed a reaction and the players gave us what we asked for before the game.”

Despite the Seasiders arriving for a point with a back five installed to soak up the pressure the Saints had little trouble in racing away with the points.

Ruscoe said: “They went for a back five with their left back looking after Jamie Mullan while three centre backs were on one forward so we asked Aeron Edwards to run in behind.

“Adrian Cieslewicz was very good. He gives us pace and a dynamic approach through the middle and we were very professional.”

Edwards was happy with the performance which he insisted showed TNS had improved since the weekend defeat to Queens Park.

“We had 30 per cent more about us,” said Ruscoe.

“We know our strengths and knew Aberystwyth would not be as fit and as strong as Aeron.”

Ruscoe faces a selection headache for the trip to Stebonheath Park with on-loan defender Ben Cabango back in contention following international duty.

Joash Nembhard has seized his chance in the last two games, including a last gaps leveller against Queens Park on Saturday.

“Ben has been excellent but in his short spell of the past two games Joash was too. I don’t think he put a foot wrong on Saturday either and at 20 years of age he will continue to improve.

“Against Aberystwyth Joash was comfortable in possession and defended well. We have three excellent centre halves at the club and Kane Lewis can play there too.”

Ruscoe insisted he would leave the players to do their talking on the training pitch ahead of making a final call while promising the weekend off in the result of victory.

“We may make one change,” said Ruscoe. “We will train lightly on Thursday and then play Friday and if we win then the players can have the weekend off as reward.”