PAUL Sturrock hopes there is no mental hang-over for his players when they face his old club Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
The manager was frustrated by a goal two minutes from time against his Plymouth Argyle side on Tuesday - one that prevented him from celebrating four straight wins.
Argyle had been 2-0 up after 18 minutes at Bristol City and he recognises the late leveller could have a psychological effect ahead of the Owls' visit.
Sturrock, sacked by Wednesday two years ago this month, says: "We got battered in the second half... I just hope and pray that they don't subconsciously take that as a defeat.
"Every one of the players is gutted, but they shouldn't be because it is a difficult place to play.
"I have emphasised to them that they shouldn't take it as a defeat."
Sturrock, who celebrates his 52nd birthday a week tomorrow, blamed himself for not bringing on substitutes earlier against Bristol.
"I will go home and criticise myself for not freshening it up a wee bit quicker" he said.
Sturrock wants a repeat of their first half Ashton Gate performance against the Owls: "That was exceptional stuff," he said.
Plymouth are 12th in the Championship, but a win over Wednesday would bring them level on points with the Hillsborough side, who are currently riding high in fifth, one place ahead of the Blades.
The Owls hope to cash in on the wobbly home form of the Pilgrims, though.
They have lost two and drawn one of their four previous home games, comparable with Doncaster Rovers and Barnsley as one of the worst home runs of all Champion-ship clubs.
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The full article contains 331 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.