ASSISTANT boss Jon Ford insists he has no doubts that Stourbridge's players will bounce back quickly from their Kettering setback.

The Glassboys lost 2-1 at home to their title rivals last Saturday to drop to second in the Southern League Central.

Stourbridge appeared to be heading for victory after grabbing a 73rd minute lead through Leon Broadhurst

But the Glassboys' joy was short-lived as Kettering hit back to level on 84 minutes when Bret Solkhon took advantage of a loose ball from Brad Birch.

There was more drama as 19-year-old Tom Knowles stepped up and crowned an unforgettable debut by curling the free kick home to land a hammer blow to the hosts.

It means Kettering move two points about Stour having played two games less.

However, despite the disappointment, Ford says his determined group of players won't dwell for too long on the loss.

He will take charge of this Saturday's trip to Lowestoft with manager Gary Hackett absent.

He said: "Truly, over the 90 minutes, I thought that Kettering were slightly the better side and probably played the better football.

"The frustrating thing from us is to concede the way we did after being 1-0 up in the game, especially having the defensive record that we have.

"It was just very disappointing for us.

"But we'll keep plugging away and will keep concentrating on ourselves like we have done all season.

"It's only January and there are a few months left of the season yet. There will be a few twists and turns still to come.

"I have no doubt that our lot will react in the right way. There is no danger of that.

"That is one thing we have here. On the other hand, Kettering have some fantastic individual players but it will be interesting to see how the respond after a few indifferent results of their own.

"Losing the last two games has hurt a lot but we are due to give someone a really big hiding soon.

"Hopefully it'll be a case of lookout Lowestoft because this group will be keen to hit back quickly and show everyone that they won't dwell on the defeat."

Ford has no major injury issues ahead of this weekend's trip to the league's third-from-bottom side.