NEIL ASHTON hopes getting knocked out of the competition earlier this term will have a positive effect on Wrexham's promotion push.
“Maybe if you have took out what we did in the FA Cup last year, the result might have been different in the league,” said Ashton, who played his part in an FA Cup run that saw the Reds all the way to third round last season.
“We finished five points behind the champions and I think there were a lot of tired legs from around the game at Forest Green, we suffered a little bit from around there just after the defeat to Brighton.
“Mentally and physically it took a bit out of us but hopefully come the end of April, it will be a blessing in disguise that we lost to Alfreton.”
Reds boss Andy Morrell was critical of the defending as Wrexham conceded four goals for the second time in three home matches, Morrell added: “Nobody made a tackle for the third goal, the geezer just dribbled and played it to the back stick.
“Obviously our formation changed because we were trying to get back into the game; we get ourselves back to 3-2, the crowd was right behind us and we have got every chance of getting back in the game with 10 minutes to go plus injury time.
“Then we go and give a crazy goal away again from our own mistake. You look at Joslain's mistake, Joslain's penalty, a mistake for the fourth and nobody tackling for the third - you can't give goals away and expect to win games.
“We will always create chances and score goals, I believe. We just have to make sure that we get back to that hard to beat team that we have been in the past.
“I am disappointed that we have let four goals in twice in the last three games at home, that is not us at all. It is back to clean sheets, getting our heads down on the training ground and work at it.”