National League: However perplexed their somewhat freakish 4-1 defeat to UCD at Belfield last Saturday may have left them, possible redemption stares Bray Wanderers in the face at the Carlisle Grounds tonight in the guise of champions Cork City.
"You have to pick yourself back up and there is no better game in which to do it than playing the champions at home," says Bray striker Robbie Doyle.
Second bottom with just two points, Bray will argue they are in the proverbial false position having drawn 2-2 with Shelbourne, conceded a last-minute goal to drop two points in Waterford and lost just 1-0 at leaders Drogheda before last week's peculiar game at UCD.
"Yes, it's a disappointing start results-wise, but we've a game in hand and it's still early doors in the season," said Doyle. "There is no concern there, we just have to keep doing what we've been doing and keep being hard to play against.
"We need to tighten up around the park, get the rub of the green and score a few goals and wins should start coming our way."
Defenders Jody Lynch and Graham O'Hanlon remain out with ankle injuries while right-back Stephen Gifford and reserve goalkeeper Terry Masterson also miss out tonight with calf strains. Midfielder Colm James and under-21s Ronan Ivory, Brian Gartland, Stephen Roche and Wayne Byrne are added to manager Pat Devlin's squad.
Cork goalkeeper Michael Devine had a scope on his right knee on Tuesday and hopes to be fit for the Setanta Sports Cup final on Saturday week. Mark McNulty thus continues between the posts tonight.
Striker John O'Flynn should be fit following a hamstring strain while winger Roy O'Donovan returns from suspension to replace Billy Woods (calf) in midfield.
Cork's Setanta Cup final opponents, and early league leaders, Drogheda United will be without striker Shane Barrett for up to three weeks after he damaged ligaments in an ankle in Tuesday's semi-final win at Linfield. Goalkeeper Dan Connor returns from suspension for tonight's visit of UCD to United Park, though captain Declan O'Brien (calf) may not be risked.
UCD captain Tony McDonnell is in line for his first start of the season after coming through a reserve game against Athlone unscathed midweek.
A defensively dogged and well organised Dublin City are perhaps not the ideal opponents for Shelbourne as they continue their struggle to kick-start their season at Tolka Park.
Steve Williams is likely to return in goal following a stomach bug that kept him out of Monday's Setanta Sports Cup semi-final defeat to Cork, though winger Richie Baker is out with an ankle injury. Joseph Ndo, Ollie Cahill, Greg O'Halloran and Bobby Ryan are all doubtful with knocks and strains.
Ger McCarthy, Mark Rooney, Ben Whelehan and Paul Crowley continue their recuperation from injuries as Dublin City travel with the same panel that drew 0-0 with Sligo Rovers last week.
Bohemians will hope that their central midfield pairing of player/manager Gareth Farrelly and Kevin Hunt are fit to face St Patrick's Athletic at Dalymount Park. Defender Jason McGuinness (back) is also a doubt and reserve team player Conor Powell is on standby.
St Patrick's have renewed concerns about club captain Colm Foley whose knee, on which he had an operation to repair cruciate ligament damage pre-season, broke down again in training on Wednesday.
Fellow defender Stephen Caffrey (groin) is still out, though utility player Stephen Brennan returns following flu.
