Alan Judge said he felt Brentford were unlucky to lose to Swindon Town yesterday and the players were still “upbeat” about their position in the Sky Bet League One table.
The Bees were beaten 1-0 in Wiltshire yesterday afternoon.
They conceded an early penalty, which was saved by David Button, and Swindon scored just before half time.
The goal came when David Button played a heavy ball at throat height in to Jonathan Douglas, the Brentford man was robbed as he took the pass under control and Louis Thompson raced on to score.
Brentford had Adam Forshaw sent off for two cautions in the second half but Alan said they still dominated, without taking their chances.
The Bees are second in League One, seven points ahead of third-placed Leyton Orient and eight clear of Rotherham United and Preston North End.
“We are still upbeat, we are seven points ahead of those chasing us,” said Alan.
“We felt we were unlucky to lose a game we dominated.
“I think we dominated from start to finish.
“David Button made a great save from a penalty and we had a few chances in the first half but didn’t take them.
“We also had a few in the second half that we didn’t take.
“We lost because we conceded a sloppy goal.
“We knew it was sloppy, the ball shouldn’t have been played in there.
“It was a minute before half time, we need to know when to play and when not to play.”
Alan said it was disappointing to lose the game to the goal they did but The Bees could be pleased with the chances they created.
“We went down to ten men and we were the better team,” he said.
“They couldn’t keep up with us, they were blowing.
“We were unlucky not to get the result.
“A draw would have been good.
“I think we were unlucky.
“We came here and had four or five decent chances, we’d be worried if we didn’t create anything.
“We had opportunities and dominated the game.
“It is disappointing to lose to the goal we did.”
Alan said his understanding was that referee Brendan Malone would not have sent Adam Forshaw off without advice from Fourth Official Nick Hobbis.
He said it was one of a few decisions that Brentford were questioning.
“We had a few decisions didn’t go our way as well,” said Alan.
“There was one where Stuart Dallas was away, he wouldn’t fall down for no reason.
“That was the story of the referee today.
“Adam’s first one was a yellow card but he wasn’t going to send him off until the Fourth Official told him to.”
Brentford’s next game is against fellow promotion-chasers Preston on Good Friday.
The Lancashire side closed the gap with a 6-1 win over Carlisle United yesterday.
“We are still in a good position,” said Alan.
“We have a good game coming up on Friday in front of our home fans.
“We will be looking forward to it.
“We are in too good a position to let it slip.
“The players won’t let it happen.
“We will keep doing what we have done and win more games.
“Preston had a good win.
“We have to look after ourselves and hopefully we will get a win.”
A full post-match video interview with Alan Judge is available here for Bees Player subscribers.