Saltash United manager Matt Cusack is backing his team to recover quickly from their shock exit from the Walter C Parson League Cup.

The Carlsberg South West Peninsula League leaders lost their quarter-final away to Plymouth Argyle Reserves on Wednesday night 6-3 after being 3-1 ahead at half-time.

Cusack said: ‘These are the loneliest places in management – but they provide an opportunity to learn something and bounced back. And bounce back we will.’

The Ashes return to action on Saturday when they take on Cornwall Combination high-flyers Holmans in the Cornwall Senior Cup quarter-final at Kimberley Stadium (2pm).

And Cusack will be looking to his team to rediscover their strengths at the back after what he called some ‘shambolic’ defending in the second half at Coach Road on Wednesday when five goals were conceded.

Plymouth Argyle: M Cooper, B Palfrey, J Calver, A Taylor, J Bentley, E Crawford, C McAuley, J Richards, A Fletcher, D Rooney, A Battle (B Craske 88).

Goals: A Fletcher (17), A Battle (55), D Rooney (63), J Calver (68 & 73), A Taylor (90+1).

Yellow card: E Crawford (26).

Saltash Utd: R Rickard, D Barker (R Maddison 75), C Menhenick, C O’Brien (S Leary 75), L Russell, H Wilson (L Avis-Riordan 75), S Farrant, D Trott, S Hughes, R Richards, C Hall. Subs not used: S Sargison, S Stevens.

Goals: S Hughes (5 & 21), R Richards (25).

Yellow card: D Trott (83).

For a full match report see Friday’s Cornish Times.