The controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow will only make England stronger in the hunt for an incredible Ashes comeback victory over Australia, coach Brendon McCullum believes.
On Monday (NZ time), England fell to a 0-2 scoreline in the best of five series, beaten by 43 runs at Lord's, on top of a two-wicket defeat in the opener at Birmingham's Edgbaston.
However, the circumstances of that defeat have left the hosts feeling aggrieved.
At 193/5, wicketkeeper Bairstow was given out stumped, after leaving his crease under the guise of the ball being no longer in play, as opposite Alex Carey threw down the stumps.
While the letter of the law would find Bairstow out, Australia's act has drawn ire for falling outside the spirit of the game - an often undefined measuring stick by which to hold players and teams to account.
And despite a gallant innings of 155 from captain Ben Stokes, England still fell short in their chase of 371.
Before the series, McCullum's England had won 11 of 13 tests played, described by many as having breathed new life into the game.
Now, though, they'll have to be the first side since 1936/37 to come back from 0-2 down to win a series.
But never one to take a backwards step, McCullum believes his side are capable of doing just that.
"From our point of view, we believe that we can still come back in this series," McCullum said. "That's where our focus has got to be.
"What I will say is it's a galvanised unit up there, and we saw the fight from the skipper, Broady [Stuart Broad] and the boys at the end there as well, which shows how much this means to the side.
"We'll lick our wounds and try and come back and rectify things."
Helping McCullum is England's record in terms of going on winning streaks.
Last year, England defeated the Blackcaps 3-0 in McCullum's first series as test coach, and did the same away to Pakistan over the Christmas period.
Now, admittedly against the reigning World Test Championship winners, England will have to do the same again to win back the famous Ashes urn.
"3-2 has a nice ring to it," McCullum added. "We've got to polish up a couple of the areas where the game has sat on a knife-edge and we haven't been able to grab it.
"We knew coming into this series it was going to be tight and there was going to be those moments.
"If we can do that, there's no reason why we can't bounce back. Morale is high and we've played some good cricket amongst things as well, and we look forward to the opportunity."
The third Ashes test begins at Leeds' Headingley on Thursday night (NZ time).
