Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said his side were “beaten by the better team” in their Sky Bet League One match against Rotherham United.
The Bees lost 3-0 on their first visit to Rotherham’s New York Stadium last night.
Kieran Agard scored twice for the home side and substitute Haris Vuckic made it three in stoppage time.
Mark, speaking to the press after the loss, said Brentford were better in the second half than the first and could have got back in to the game after the break but weren’t brave enough in posession in the opening 45 minutes.
He said The Bees were below their best and deserved to lose to their fellow promotion-chasers.
“In the first half we weren’t brave enough,” said Mark.
“We had some tidy play in midfield but we didn’t threaten them or get behind them.
“We lost some of our one-on-one battles.
“The players know that.
“We were better in the second half.
“We had some good crosses and were unfortunate not to score.
“We didn’t reach our normal standard but we have to recognise on the night we were beaten by the better team.
“It was as simple as that.
“Rotherham are a good team and they are near the top for a reason.”
Rotherham’s opening goal came inside the first 15 minutes.
Right back James Tavernier cut inside Alan Judge and was fouled.
The challenge was on the edge of the penalty area but referee Geoff Eltringham pointed to the spot on the advice of his assistant.
That set Rotherham on their way to the win, which helped them close the gap on The Bees.
Rotherham remain fourth with Brentford third but the Yorkshire side are now only seven points behind.
The loss was Brentford’s second in their last 26 Sky Bet League One matches.
After their previous defeat, to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brentford took 13 points from their next 15.
“I haven’t seen a replay of the penalty,” said Mark.
“The linesman gave it, not the referee.
“I can’t really comment.
“But you get out of a game what you put in to it.
“We weren’t at our normal standard and apart from some tidy passages we weren’t clinical enough or really penetrated.
“In certain areas we didn’t step up and we will learn from it.
“We had a fantastic reaction after we lost to Wolves.
“We have lost two in 26 and we will look forward and prepare for the weekend.
“The Rotherham fans tonight were shouting ‘easy, easy’, that will hurt the players.
“But they will come back strong.”
Brentford are three points ahead of Leyton Orient, who are third, with two games in hand.
Mark said his side were looking for five wins from their remaining games to ensure automatic promotion.
Their next match is against Oldham Athletic on Saturday.
“Our only focus now is Oldham,” said Mark.
“We are on 79 points, which is a good total, and we need to get to 94 or 95.
“We will do that with five wins.
“After that we will move on from there hopefully.
“The boys have been outstanding this season and we have to learn from this.
“If we don’t learn, we don’t move forward.
“All games are important; they are all worth three points.
“We had great support tonight and unfortunately we fell short, we will put that right.
“We are in a good position and we are better than we showed tonight.
“We have no complaints, the better team won.”
George Saville missed the match with an injury and Adam Forshaw was withdrawn in the second half.
Mark explained he wanted to leave Jake Reeves on and move Alan McCormack in to midfield, bringing Nico Yennaris on at right back.
“We wanted to look after Adam,” said the Brentford Manager.
“We felt Jake Reeves was doing well in midfield.
“We won’t just take him off because he is the youngest one.
“He deserved to stay on.
“Adam is a key player for us.
“Nico came on and added energy and Alan did the same in midfield, that was the reason for the change.
“We worked hard and threatened but weren’t good enough on the evening.
“George Saville is getting nearer and should be available for the weekend.”
Mark Warburton’s full post-match press conference is available here for Bees Player subscribers.