Harrow Borough manager Dave Anderson was encouraged by his side’s response against Margate after an “awful performance” in their defeat to Wingate & Finchley.

The Reds slumped to a 3-1 loss in the Ryman Premier Division on Saturday but were much improved despite only holding Margate to a 0-0 draw on Tuesday night.

Anderson said: “We were awful on Saturday and it was our worst performance for a long time.

“There is no rhyme or reason why we performed that badly.

“I was expecting a reaction and fortunately we got that on Tuesday when we were unfortunate not to win the game.”

The Reds’ consolation at Wingate came through a first-half penalty from Victor Osobu but there was little else to get excited about.

Anderson said: “The performances have been steady recently so that came out of the blue.

“You have to remember they are part-time footballers and there is the saying that the only consistency is inconsistency. You have to expect it to happen from time to time and the important thing is how you react.”

Boro face a League Cup quarter-final at Ware this evening but Anderson is preparing to make changes.

He said: “I will make 11 changes if I can. If I’m being honest, then the league is the priority and at this time of year we need to utilise the squad.

“We need to rest players and we have got some injuries and fatigue as well so we’ll have to make full use of the squad.”

After the cup tie, the Reds face back-to-back games against struggling Enfield Town.

Anderson said: “We won’t be taking them lightly. Every side is capable of beating each other in this division but it’s a very important time in the season for us.”