A goalless draw at Buxton on Saturday was followed by a disappointing 3-1 loss at home to Guiseley three days later - a match that saw the Badgers' unbeaten home record come to an end.

Cox felt Tuesday's performance highlighted a number of problems he needed to address, but that the result could have been a much-needed lesson.

He said: "If I'm honest, after the way we've been playing in recent games a match like Tuesday had been coming for a while.

"We'd been winning games while not playing all that well and while points are vital, you will be punished eventually.

"I think one or two of the players believe they've won this league already and their performances are reflecting that. The whole club took a jolt on Tuesday and the performance simply wasn't good enough, but if I'm going to take away a positive it's that it probably gave the players a major kick up the backside.

"We've only been playing at 60-70 per cent of the standards we're capable of and that the players have set themselves with many of their earlier performances, and for the last seven games I want to see us back to at least 90 per cent."

Both games saw Eastwood finish with ten men following dismissals for Anton Foster at Buxton and Marc Smith against Guiseley.

"Anton's first booking was for dissent and told him to keep his mouth shut, but then he went in for a tackle that the referee wasn't bothered about until his linesman called him over, " said Cox.

"Marc Smith's was perhaps harsh but he'd already been booked and I think for the second one he was just trying to show a bit of passion.

"I wouldn't say it cost us any points because it was a poor performance anyway, but it was always much harder after that."

Lindon Meikle was taken off at half-time as a precaution after picking up a thigh injury, but will be fit to face Kendal on Saturday as the Badgers get a quick opportunity to bury Tuesday's demons.

A 3-2 win over North Ferriby last weekend put Kendal fifth in the league and they are looking good for a play-off spot, while Ian Deakin will be back in goal for Eastwood as Shane Redmond is away on international duty.

The match will also be Cox's 200th in charge of the Badgers, a spell which has seen him produce an impressive win ratio.

He said: "Someone told me I've won a similar amount of games to Rafa Benitez in his first 200, which is an interesting stat but one I'd swap for a 100 per cent record in the next seven games!"

The Badgers then head to Rainworth Miners Welfare next Tuesday for a Nottinghamshire Senior Cup tie, an opportunity for Cox to again field some of his lesser-used players.

He added: "It will be useful to give some match time to a few of the lads as if we get any injuries to key players it's important they're ready to step in."