AUCHINLECK Talbot boss Tommy Sloan says his side have set the standard after their Scottish Cup weekend win over Albion Rovers.
The Beechwood Park side earned their place in the second round draw after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill on Saturday, September 28.
Goals from Alex Nimmo and Connor Boyd put Talbot 2-0 up heading in to the closing stages and despite a late Adam Fernie goal they held out to secure progression.
Manager Sloan was delighted with the result, particularly given last week's disappointing loss away to Largs Thistle.
'Tucker' rang the changes ahead of the match, making five alterations to his starting 11, and he was pleased with the reaction he received.
He said: “You’ve got to react, it was poor last week – I wasn’t happy at all.
“I thought we were the best side, we deserved to win the game. I was a wee bit disappointed at losing a goal late on and making it anxious but we were well worth our win.
“There was quite a few changes and it was a good response, it shows we can use the squad – and we’re probably still searching for our best side."
And the Beechwood boss said he hopes that it showed those who missed out that they will need to battle for a place in his team.
He added: “The guys standing watching will realise that now, we’re looking for an appetite and who wants to play.
“We need to try find a settled team, it’s not easy, if we can get consistent results then it’s a lot easier.”
Now, Sloan is looking to take the positives from the victory and carry that on as Talbot return to domestic action in the West of Scotland Cup away to Vale of Clyde on Saturday, October 5.
He said: “We need to get a bit of consistency there and that’s what we’ll be looking for now.
“We weren’t without our problems on Saturday, we had to shuffle the pack a wee bit, but the response was good.
“Young Alex Nimmo came in for his first start, in a big match, and he’s managed to get the first goal and play well.
“There are a lot of pluses there so we are delighted to get through.”
Sloan also looked ahead, briefly, to Talbot's second round draw which will see them host Lowland League side Broxburn Athletic at the end of next month.
It will be a chance for Auchinleck to enact some revenge after the same side dumped them out of the South Challenge Cup last season - winning 3-0 at Albyn Park.
Sloan said: “We saw the draw, Broxburn, a team that beat us last year in the South Challenge Cup.
“It’s a decent draw, certainly a tough one, and there’s plenty incentive there with them turning us over last year.”
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