The humiliation of a 6-1 defeat is one Connor Scully had not faced before.
Last Saturday’s humbling at the hands of Annan Athletic came as a shock to the system for the League 2 leaders, who had been imperious in their surge to the summit.
Very few things went right for Cove, on a day where they only had two outfield substitutes, lost two players to injury and had Declan Glass sent off. The only positive was that their nearest challengers Edinburgh City, who they face in the capital this weekend, dropped points as well.
The focus after the post-mortem this week has been on reacting against Edinburgh, something Scully is keen to see through.
He said: “I’d never been beaten 6-1 at Cove, so it hurt a lot. It was so disappointing for the season we’ve had so far. It came crashing down after we gave away the second penalty and it was horrible to play in. But we have taken it on the chin.
“Everyone was devastated – we spoke about it on the way home. We said we need to get it out of our heads and show what we’re capable of.”
Facing the team chasing them at the top is arguably the perfect game for Paul Hartley’s side, who had only tasted defeat once in the league prior to the Galabank mauling.
City were beaten by Queen’s Park last weekend but have responded from their heavy loss at Cove on the opening day of the season, in which the SPFL new-boys emerged with a 5-0 victory.
Scully added: “It was our first game of the season, our first game in League 2 and our first home game in the SPFL. I don’t think it will be like the first game of the season.
“They will be looking at that and saying ‘that’s not happening again’. It will be a really interesting and I expect it to be really close.”
Cove will have doubts over defenders Daniel Higgins and Harry Milne, who limped off in the Annan game. Fraser Fyvie and Mitch Megginson did not travel, while Ryan Strachan, Matty Smith, Alan Redford and Chris Antoniazzi were already out.
It may hand opportunities to Jordon Brown and Jamie Redman, who have had to be patient for game-time this season.
Scully said: “I think everyone in our squad could start in any team in League 2. They (Jordon and Jamie) have had to wait for their chance and with guys out injured, they can get into the side and snap it up.
“Every week I feel like I’ve got to perform to be in the team for next week. It will be a tough pick for the gaffer this week as none of us really performed last weekend.”