Tommy Widdrington has challenged has Eastbourne Borough to bounce straight back away to high-flying Oxford City today.

Borough followed an excellent 5-1 win at Basingstoke last Saturday with a humbling 4-1 defeat at home to Margate on Tuesday.

Boss Widdrington had no complaints about the result but now wants to see a reaction from his players.

He said: “Football kicks you on the backside more than it pats you on the back.

“We have got to take our hats off to the way Margate approached the game. They have had a difficult start and they all turned up on Tuesday night which is probably what they haven’t done before.

“I have no qualms, they were the better side on the night. We have to bounce back as quickly as we can and that will be at Oxford on Saturday.

“So far Oxford have been fluent in their football, they have scored goals and they have had a great start.

“We are under no illusions, the same as every week at this level, there are some good teams in this league and we have to be on our mettle to make sure we get a good result.”

Sam Beale will return from a one-match suspension but doubts remain over midfielder Nathan Collier who may face another week on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Collier has missed the last two matches.

Borough have no other injury problems but Widdrington added: “The lads are a little bruised from the other night in terms of their pride.

Coming off the back of a really good performance and result at Basingstoke it was probably a shock to them but we will pick them up and there will be a smile on their faces come Saturday.”