Ross County midfielder Jackson Irvine has urged his side to remain patient despite the 2-1 home defeat by Premiership leaders Hearts.
The Jambos netted twice in the space of four first-half minutes on Saturday, with Osman Sow and Alim Ozturk on target.
Liam Boyce’s penalty halved the deficit but County could not find a way back into the game, with the Edinburgh side seeing claiming the points to cement their position at the top of the table.
Irvine felt the Staggies were unfortunate to be defeated. He said: “I don’t think the wind has been knocked out of our sails. If we had been beaten comprehensively then it may have done so but even when we lost 2-0 against Celtic on the opening day there were so many positives to take.
“Going to Parkhead on flag day, a team could easily lose five or six but we created opportunities and passed the ball well.
“Losing at home stings a bit more because in the second half of last season we turned this place into a bit of a fortress and we were looking to do that from the beginning of this season, but the spirit hasn’t been damaged at all.
“We’ll look back over this game and see lots of positives to take from the performance – we just have to clamp down on making mistakes because that was our strength in the second half of last campaign.
“We cut out losing the goals that were preventable.
“I don’t think we’ve ever lacked spirit but I think the ability to create is the biggest difference. In the last five minutes the ball started to go a bit longer but overall we were patient throughout the second half and that’s something we have really added to our game.
“I can see that creative side in our performances this season.”
Irvine returned to Victoria Park in the summer on a permanent basis after impressing on loan from Celtic last season.
The Australian had to train the Hoops’ youth team before completing his move to the Highlands but said his stop-start pre-season has not set him back.
The 22-year-old added: “I got through the first game against Celtic on adrenalin because I had not kicked a ball since the last game of the previous season against Kilmarnock. It was nice to get through that but three games in the last week has done wonders for my fitness.
“The sports scientists have looked after me really well to make sure I don’t blow up because I need to be wary when the games are coming thick and fast.
“I feel my performances have been pretty solid so far and now I’m looking forward to playing Killie next week, especially as it’s one of my old teams.”