JIMMY O'Connor blamed a period of “madness” at the start of the second half for Kidderminster Harriers' grim 4-2 FA Cup first round defeat at AFC Fylde.

Harriers' hopes of clinching a victory which would have earned them £18,000 in prize-money were demolished when they conceded three quick-fire goals shortly after the interval.

The experienced defender said: “It was a massive disappointment. We set our standards really high and we're an ambitious bunch, but today it's a bit of a shock. I don't think anybody saw it coming, “It was ten or 15 minutes of madness at the start of the second half where we showed a lot of naivety. So, yes, it was a massive disappointment and one you have got to take on the chin I suppose.

“We finished the first half strong, but the way we went from 2-0 to 4-0 that's very disappointing for me as a player. You've got to learn to stay in games.

“The only thing you can take from it is that it's a catalyst for what we're trying to do But even if we go on a major winning run I think we've always got to have those alarm bells in the back of our mind that in if you switch off you don't do things right.”

The former Walsall campaigner is now hoping bruised Harriers can bounce back in style from their cup exit, starting with Saturday's home National League North clash against Darlington.

He said: “If we're going to take one positive from Saturday then I think we've got to use it as a massive motivation and push on. Use it as a kind of example of what can happen if we don't do what we've been doing since I've been here.

“It's a horrible way to go out of the cup but it's happened, so we have to kick on and bounce back. We have to as it's our job and that's what we'll be determined to do.”

Harriers' boss John Eustace admitted his side had gifted Fylde all four goals.

He said: “I was very proud of the lads to get this far in in the cup, but I was disappointed in the manner we conceded the goals. I think we handed all four of the goals to them which is the most disappointing thing.

“Fylde are a qualify team, they are a very experienced team and they're very good, but the way we defended all four goals was really disappointing. I don't think they really had to earn any of the goals, so its something we have got to look at and work hard at.”