Harlee Dean said a lack of cutting edge and "simple mistakes" cost Brentford against Milton Keynes Dons.
The Bees were beaten 2-0 on a freezing Easter Monday in Buckinghamshire despite dominating possession and having more chances.
MK took the lead when a Dean Bowditch shot dipped, swerved and bounced through Simon Moore and in to the net.
Although The Bees had chances before and after the goal they could not find a way through and Stephen Gleeson sealed the win when he smashed in from 20 yards.
Harlee said Brentford were the better team but did not score and therefore got nothing from the match.
“I think we outplayed them for most of the game,” said the central defender, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“But goals win you games.
“We were unlucky with the first goal, the ball was moving all over the place, and for the second no-one tracked a run from midfield.
“Simple mistakes have cost us the game.
“We have had the ball and passed it about but we have to find the cutting edge and score.
“We didn’t do that today.
“We can take positives but we gave lost the game.
“Points have been dropped.
“We are happy with the performance.
“We were generally good but didn’t get any points.”
Harlee said the swerve on the ball for the first goal caused it to find the back of the net and no fingers were pointed at goalkeeper Simon Moore.
He said the players had a frank discussion at half time and thought it had helped but points were all that mattered.
“No-one is blaming Simon for the first goal, he has been brilliant all season,” he said.
“I could have headed the ball but it was moving all over the place.
“It bounced in front of him, it was hard.
“There were a few words said in the changing room at half time.
“I think it needed to be done, we don’t really do that.
“We came out in the second half and did well.
“That was a positive but we didn’t get any points.
“Everyone is disappointed.”
The defeat ended a run of three straight wins, the last of which was a Good Friday success against Notts County.
The Bees are third in npower League One with six games remaining.
They are three points behind AFC Bournemouth, who are second, with two games in hand, and five behind leaders Doncaster Rovers, who have played one game more.
The Bees travel to Coventry City next Saturday and still have to play 2008 FA Cup winners Portsmouth, Sheffield United, who are fourth in the table, and Doncaster.
“Generally this season we have been good against the big teams,” said Harlee.
“We are all happy we have to play Doncaster, Coventry, Portsmouth, Sheffield United.
“They are all big teams and we relish that.
“It is still in our hands.
“We need to finish first or second to be promoted and that is what we want.
“We won’t dwell on this.
“We will analyse it draw a line and move on.
“Coventry will be another week.
“We would have taken this position at the start of the season – I think everyone would – but after Friday we thought we could come here and get another three points.
“I am a little disappointed.
“This MK Dons team aren’t as strong as they were so we could have done better.”
More than 2,000 Brentford fans made the trip to Milton Keynes and Harlee said it made a massive difference.
He called on the supporters to get to as many games as possible before the end of the season.
“The fans were brilliant,” he said.
“I spoke a couple of weeks ago that we were getting booed at half time and I didn’t think we deserved that.
“Since then the fans have been brilliant.
“If we can get as many fans as possible at the last two home games it will help us.
“There more we get away the better.
“They help us.
“It does give us a lift and does spur us on.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Harlee Dean here.