Quakers were stunned when Brackley overturned a two-goal deficit to beat them 4-2 at Blackwell Meadows on Saturday, with the defeat leaving them nine points below seventh-placed King’s Lynn with three games in hand.
Moors are a further three points behind Quakers in the table, with both clubs having 13 more games to play.
“It looked like a heavy defeat on Saturday, but it was completely avoidable,” said Watson. “We must put it behind us.
“We know that nine times out of ten, we don’t defend like the way we did on Saturday. It was one of those days. The way we conceded those goals on Saturday was disappointing.
“We have to take it on the chin, and everyone’s got to hold their hands up. Winning the duels on the field is non-negotiable, that’s the least that’s expected.
“We had five young lads in the team on Saturday who have never seen a game like that, they don’t know football like that, it was completely new to them.
“But let’s not get carried away, let’s remember how far we’ve come. It was a setback on Saturday, but not the end of the world. There were lots of good things, but we can’t get too caught up with what happened.
“It’s not something we need to put right on the training pitch or the tactics room, it’s about winning duels, keeping belief and having the confidence to do it. We’ll get back on track.”
Midfielder Tom Platt is struggling with a hamstring injury, but Kallum Griffiths might return against one of his former clubs. Striker Cameron Salkeld is definitely out with an ankle injury.
Spennymoor, meanwhile, are on the crest of a wave after beating National League side Sutton United in the FA Trophy on Saturday, with the victory taking them into the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since 1978.
Moors were yesterday drawn away to Rochdale, who are currently tenth in the National League table, with the last-four tie due to take place on Saturday, April 5.
They welcome Ben Pollock back into their squad to face Darlington, with the defender having been ineligible for their Trophy tie at Sutton.
Moors midfielders Rob Ramshaw and Mitch Hancox are both struggling because of injury, while defender Dan Myers has returned to the club following his loan spell with Blyth.
Quakers won the reverse game 1-0 earlier in the season with Jack Maskell scoring the only goal of the game, although Moors thought that they should have had at least one penalty.
Maskell scored Quakers’ second goal on Saturday, and Watson said: “I was pleased that he got his goal on Saturday. He linked up really well and did a lot of good things. He did a lot of good work in both boxes.”
