The manager said that a poor first period played a big role in the Bulls' 4-2 defeat to Staveley at the weekend.
After league and FA Cup wins over Knaresborough and Sleaford propelled AFC into a positive start, a the visit to Inkersall Road saw a dominant Staveley side take their chances, whilst Ross Duggan scored yet another brace.
"First half we were poor, we didn't compete enough and we deserved to be behind," Matt Chatfield said after the game, "but I think the second half was hard on us.
"We've thrown the dice, we've scored a goal early and we've had two really good chances to score again - then we rolled the dice, and got caught on the counter to make it four, which I'd do again because I want to win games and draws aren't enough."
Assistant manager John Stancliffe said that the key word in the dressing room for the half-time team talk was desire - that was the difference in the first half, he added.
"Some players lacked that desire to go that extra yard for their team-mates during the first half and that's what we questioned.
"We'll regroup, correct (our mistakes), speak to the lads over the weekend and then we go again on Tuesday.
The former Frickley man added that the players were "hurting" after the result: "They'll be ready for Tuesday, there's no doubt about that - they want to win every match like we want to."
Club captain Phil Buxton said his side are looking forward to welcoming Eccleshill United to the Forest Town Arena on Tuesday night: "We've not seen them for a couple of years, we've not played them since probably three years ago.
"They'll be like any team in this league - they'll work hard, they'll be physical, they'll get the ball down.
"Every game's going to be a battle so we need to be ready and prepared, get our recovery in and go again on Tuesday."