CARL Macauley has said Witton Albion’s players need to ‘put in the bin’ their memories of an agonising FA Trophy exit at Chester in midweek.

Instead they turn their attention back to the Northern Premier League, and a visit on Saturday from improving Carlton Town.

A 2-1 defeat on Tuesday in controversial circumstances – the visitors had two players dismissed and a second goal, when they led 1-0, disallowed – has been a blow to morale, according to the former Marine boss.

He said: “We can’t let what happened affect us.

“It’s normal to go over things in your head later the same night, as I’m sure happened to my players before their heads hit the pillow.

“Everybody was down afterwards, and we feel a lot went against us.

“But we have to throw that game in the bin as soon as we can because we’ve a job to do against Carlton.”

Macauley said he will wait until tomorrow before deciding on Rob Hopley’s involvement.

Witton’s leading scorer left the field inside the opening 20 minutes at Chester after aggravating a hamstring injury sustained during last Saturday’s 1-1 draw.

With Steven Tames (ankle) and Cameron Dalton (leg) ruled out by injury, it leaves Albion with only Tolani Omotola as an attacking option to face the Millers.

“It was Rob’s decision to come off, and we’ll try now to wrap him in cotton wool,” said Macauley.

“He’s not been training much, and he needs a rest.

“It’s a priority to bring in a striker, because we’re thin on the ground in that area.

“Rob will want to play, because that’s what he’s like, but ideally I’d like to add somebody to the group.”

He told the Guardian that Albion’s supporters, vocal throughout at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium, have a part to play in helping their team return to winning ways this weekend.

Witton are unbeaten in front of their own fans this season, a sequence of 13 matches.

However they have lost to Carlton already this season – a 3-2 reverse in September – and have failed to beat the Nottingham outfit in three previous attempts.

Macaulay said: “The fans were brilliant from the first minute [at Chester].

“They were happy, and right behind our lads.

“It’s great to know we have that backing, and I can tell you it really does help the players.

“I just hope they were as proud as I was.

“We thought we were nearly there, but didn’t have the luck maybe we needed.

“I’ve never once slagged off a referee, so let’s just say his performance could have been a lot better.

"It’s really tough for me to accept, more so for the players.”

He will again be without Paul Williams (knee) this weekend.

Kick off is at 3pm.