AIRBUS UK were left physically and mentally battered by their opening-night 1-0 defeat to champions The New Saints.
Already without the services of key midfielders Steve Futcher (calf) and Dave Hughes (wrist) - who both pulled out on the day of the match - James Hussaney and captain Steve Hopkins then picked up injuries during the 90 minutes.
And to rub salt into the wounds, Nicky Ward stole the points for TNS on Friday with just seven minutes to play, with the help of a big deflection.
Gareth Owen's men won praise for the way kept their full-time opponents at bay, and it was certainly a marked improvement from the last time Ken McKenna's outfit visited Broughton for a league encounter.
Yet Airbus player-manager Owen took no satisfaction in being an 'unlucky loser'.
He said: 'It was very hard to take.
At the end of the day, we lost the game and that's all that matters.
'But there's no denying that our commitment and effort was superb. They had the better of the chances but we kept them to a minimum, which was pleasing. We had a game plan and it worked right until the end, when they scored with the aid of a deflection.
'We lost to them 5-0 at home last season so it shows we've come far. I still would have liked us to create a few more chances after we had the first chance of the match. But it is the league champions after all.
'So I was not unhappy about the performance - just the result.'
The quartet of Futcher, Hughes, Hussaney are all doubtful for tonight's visit of Welshpool to the Airfield (7.30pm).
* A second-string Airbus took on neighbours Connah's Quay Nomads in their first game in Group B of the Loosemores Challenge Cup on Wednesday night - and paid the price.
The Deesiders ran out 6-1 winners with debutant Shaun Beck grabbing the home side's goal.
Beck and fellow recruit Dean Hughes have signed on second-forms from Flint, but are wanted by the Silkmen this weekend and will be unavailable for tonight's game.
