The NEW SAINTS boss Scott Ruscoe believes the arrival of more huge games in both league and cup will help his side get over their Irn-Bru Cup heartache.

TNS conceded two stunning strikes against Dumbarton on Saturday night to exit at the semi-final stage for the second year running, but will now face Connahs Quay Nomads away on Saturday to edge a step closer to the title.

Ruscoe admits his players were blown away by the nature of the defeat but says his staff will have them mentally right for the clash.

"This is a time where the big games come thick and fast," he said. "We're in a good position in the league with eight games to go and we only need three or four wins.

"That's our main objective now – we don't want anyone dwelling on the Irn-Bru defeat as that disappointment will run into next week against Nomads. It's up to us to keep the players positive and picks ourselves up to go again.

"The players are dejected obviously, but the nature of the goals we conceded means they can put this one to bed quite quickly. You can take everything out of it but a semi-final is a one-off game. We dominated possession but we probably do enough to put it out of sight."

Ruscoe is looking forward to returning to Deeside again a week later for the Welsh Cup quarter-final where Saints face Nomads again in what could be a difficult last-eight tie.

He added: "It's a dress rehearsal for another big game – the Welsh Cup, which is one we want back as we fell at the final hurdle last year and one we've dominated before.

"We want to keep going – I enjoyed the Welsh Cup, won a few as a player and I want to win one as a manager."

Saints kick-off at 2pm.