Workington Town head-coach Leon Pryce believes that yesterday’s defeat at the hands of play-off opponents Doncaster will count for nothing, as his side return to South Yorkshire for their play-off semi-final showdown, next weekend.

With the Keepmoat Stadium game effectively being a dead rubber, as both sides secured their play-off berths ahead of yesterday’s clash, Pryce was afforded the luxury of resting key men while trying out a few different combinations.

Speaking to the assembled press corps afterwards, Pryce dismissed the notion that Doncaster go into next week’s clash with the psychological advantage, by stressing that yesterday’s game will have little bearing on the play-off encounter.

“It was probably what I expected – a high-scoring game,” Pryce insisted. “I thought Doncaster attacked very well and caused us a lot of problems on the edges. Our back-three were appalling at times with mistakes and missed tackles.

“We earned the right to put out a patchy team by winning bigger games, so I don’t think it’s going to mean much. I’ve told the lads to keep their heads up. We’ve got a big game coming up next week and today’s game will not be a reflection of that.”

Although Sam Forrester picked up a knock during the game, Pryce confirmed that his side came through yesterday’s clash injury-free – and the former Bradford Bulls player admitted that he is excited at the prospect of leading Town into the Betfred League One play-offs, following their fourth-placed finish in the regular season.

“We finished eighth last year and we’ve finished fourth this year and beaten the Bulls home and away,” Pryce enthused. “It will be a lot tougher, next week – there is promotion riding on it. We want to win, they want to win. It will be a massive battle.

“Regardless of the result, we’ve had a decent season. We’ve done very well but we want to win the game. These are the games you want to play in and these are the games you want to coach in.

“We have to get our preparation right as games are won in the preparation. You have to eat well, train properly and focus on their strengths and our weaknesses. You have to do your homework so then you are not leaving it to chance.”