PAUL Smith is hoping his in-form Bromsgrove Sporting side bounce back from their FA Cup disappointment with a crucial week in the Midlands Division One.

The Rouslers were edged out 1-0 at Rugby Town, who play two levels above in the Northern League Division One South.

The manager was delighted with the performance, but not his team’s lack of finishing, as they missed out on the first qualifying round because of a late winner for the Warwickshire outfit.

Sporting, who topped the table after two games, were set to play highly-rated Hinckley at home on Tuesday night and then faced two away games against Cadbury on Saturday and Heather Athletic on Bank Holiday Monday (both matches 3pm ko).

He said: “We played extremely well against Rugby but if you do not take your chances then there is always a chance of conceding.

“We had to pick the lads up after the result but there were a lot of positives because we could have been 2-0 up at half-time and added even more after the break. But if we keep playing like that then we’ll win a lot of games.

“We’ve made a very good start to the the league with two wins, but we’ve got three very tough games this week and if we can get seven or nine points from it I will be very happy.”

Sporting are still without Nathan Walker, Craig Jones and Sam Wills, who are still on holiday.

Keenen Meekin-Richards was set to make his competitive debut against Hinckley after serving his four-match suspension.