The NEW SAINTS boss Scott Ruscoe has written off his side's Welsh Premier League defeat to Connah's Quay Nomads on Sunday, believing fatigue played a huge part after returning late from Denmark.

Andrew Owens's goal straight after the re-start was enough to separate the two sides with TNS suffering a rare European hangover in Deeside, as Greg Draper had a leveller ruled out late on.

But Ruscoe admitted his side's travelling over the last week has caught up with them, coupled with the more physical tactics employed by Nomads and is looking forward to getting the result out of their system.

"We did score – it was a good goal but it was given offside," said Ruscoe. "I think Greg was a good yard onside for us to equalise but the assistant ruled it out. I think we made some good chances but none were clear cut. It’s a tough place to go and play, especially with the ball in the air all the time and we’re trying to play.

"It didn’t work out today and it just didn’t go for us. If I’d said we looked jaded today, we’d have every reason to do because we didn’t get back from Denmark until Friday at 7pm and we were straight into training on Saturday at 11am.

"They’ve gone home and then the lads have played again (on Sunday), which is a short time to recuperate. It’s just one of those games.

"I think if it’d had been at home then we’d have won but going to a tough place like Connah’s Quay who put you under so much pressure, it’s tough.

"There wasn’t so many chances anyway; it was a poor game but it’s always a rubbish game there. They stifle you, they go man-for-man and the goal came straight after half-time after we’d stood up to them brilliantly in the first half.

"But then we concede a sloppy goal which is disappointing. But it’s not a reality check because it’s not like there’s anything wrong."

Ruscoe said he ruled out changes to the side that lost in Europe because he did not want to take Nomads lightly.

He added: "It’s not like Bangor last year. Only one team wanted to play; the other wanted to moan about everything and keep booting the ball up the pitch and get in a fight with us.

"That’s how they like to do it; the manager likes a physical battle but we have to stand up and be counted but today we weren’t quite there.

"I just wanted to get the game out of the way, to be honest. This week, we’ll train well and get lots of rest and then we’ll go again. It’s a long pre-season but we’re not complaining about that."