ASWAD Thomas says Grimsby Town must learn fast from their bitter blow at Hyde if they are to be promotion contenders this season.
Tuesday's 3-2 defeat at Ewan Fields was the first time the Mariners have lost on the road since their 2-1 reverse at Fleetwood Town in March.
Thomas and his team-mates were proud of their unbeaten run on the road and were disappointed by the manner in which it ended.
The 23-year-old left-back, pictured, said: "We're gutted that the away run ended at Hyde and it obviously wasn't the result that anybody wanted. It was disastrous really.
"The record was something that we were proud of and, although all runs have to come to an end, it was disappointing that it ended there.
"But now it's about picking ourselves up and putting together another run, because that's what gets you up the table.
"We need to start picking up results if we want to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season, so that's what we need to do."
Thomas rubbished suggestions that the chance to go top of the league – had Town won and results elsewhere gone their way – put any added pressure on the players for the game in Lancashire.
He said: "Playing for a club like Grimsby Town, there is always going to be a pressure to perform and do well – and it's up to us as players to deal with that.
"It was a good opportunity for us to go top, but it's one that we didn't take. But you'd like to think that there will be plenty more opportunities for us to move further up the league over the course of the season.
"As players, we need to learn from this experience and grab those opportunities when they present themselves."
The full-back also paid tribute to the Mariners fans who made the journey to Ewen Fields, saying their "first-class" support deserved better.
He said: "The fans have been top notch all season. The following at Tamworth and then against Hyde was first class.
"They really do get behind us and genuinely, as players, it does help and we do appreciate it. It is just a shame that we couldn't get the result that they deserved to go home with."
Ahead of Saturday's home clash against Woking, he added: "Now it's about giving the fans something to cheer about.
"We're at Blundell Park on Saturday and we'll be expected to perform and get the three points – and we'll be looking to give them that."
