FULL-back Tyler Weir admits Worcester City’s cup exits have allowed them to “concentrate” on climbing the Vanarama National League North table.

A 3-1 loss to higher-graded York City at Bootham Crescent last Saturday saw the Blue and Whites crash out of the FA Trophy first round.

The defeat also ended City’s cup exploits for this term having failed to get beyond the third qualifying round in the FA Cup following a 3-0 defeat to Brackley in October.

Weir said he was “disappointed” his team were unable to put together a run in either competition.

However, with six points separating themselves and the relegation zone, the 26-year-old insisted it was important they got their league campaign back on track.

“I think we were poor in the FA Cup, losing to Brackley and they went on to play Blackpool. That could have been us,” Weir said.

“The FA Trophy was another good chance for us. North Ferriby won it two years ago, so there was no reason why we couldn’t have gone to Wembley and done the same.

“It was always going to be tough at York but we went there thinking we could win and it just didn’t go our way.”

City travel to struggling Gainsborough Trinity today (3pm) before tackling Kidderminster Harriers at the Victoria Ground on Boxing Day and at Aggborough on New Year’s Day.

And Weir is confident 13th-placed Worcester can secure three wins and get into the top half by the start of 2017.

“We are all disappointed with how things went against York but we went down with a fight and we now want to bounce back,” said the defender, whose side are eight points behind mid-table Gloucester City.

“We can just concentrate on the league now, that’s the priority and that starts with Gainsborough today, which is a must-win ahead of the two games against Kiddy over Christmas.”

Gainsborough, who drew 2-2 at City in September, have lost their last four games to slump to 19th, three points above the drop zone.

“Obviously Gainsborough are struggling, so hopefully we can get the three points there and then do the double over Kiddy — that’s the aim,” Weir added.

“We want to be in the top half of the table, so let’s see if we can do it.

“Hughesy (Lee Hughes) has been missing and Chekaine (Steele) and Connor (Hughes) have been injured, so we have got players to come back in who can strengthen us and help us push on.”