TNS bid to pick themselves up at home to JD Cymru Premier leaders Barry Town United on Saturday.

The Saints are licking their wounds after being dumped out of the Nathaniel MG Cup at Bangor City on Tuesday as their unconvincing start to the season continued.

TNS fought back to level only to crash out 4-2 on penalties as City produced one of the shocks of the season by dumping out the JD Cymru Premier champions.

Defeat represented the Saints’ second defeat in cup competition this season having already crashed out of the Tunnocks Wafer Cup at Stenhousemuir earlier this month.

Ruscoe was determined not to dwell and looked ahead to Saturday and the visit of old rivals Barry Town United.

Manager Scott Ruscoe said: “Barry have started well and are a point above us going into the game on Saturday and it’s a good carrot for the players to again go back to the top of the league against a good competitor.

Barry did really well last season for a club that was actually relatively new to the league.”

TNS go into the game without nine players with Ruscoe keen to give youth a chance.

“It gives the young players and the squad players a chance. We’re OK, we’re still very strong with our starting eleven.

Ruscoe insisted he knew what to expect from Barry who have set the pace so far this season.

“I don’t think Barry will offer too much difference from last season. They’ve added to the squad and have strengthened. They are strong, pass the ball well, create chances and are good on the counter-attack.”

Ruscoe remained upbeat despite the Saints early season form which included trailing at struggling Carmarthen last week before bouncing back to claim the spoils by a convincing margin.

“I was unhappy to be losing so early never but never doubted we would win the game and I said at half-time that we could win by five, six or even seven.

“I think we did OK in the end. Carmarthen didn’t cause us too many problems as I think we caused our own ones.”