Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said the best team won as Middlesbrough booked their place in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final at the expense of his side.
Middlesbrough beat The Bees 3-0 at the Riverside Stadium last night in the Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg.
That gave them a 5-1 aggregate success and a place in the Championship Play-Off Final next Monday, May 25.
It ended Brentford’s first season in the second tier since 1992/93.
The Bees finished fifth in the regular season but could not make the final leap to the Premier League.
Speaking after the match, Mark – who will leave the Club at the end of the month – had no complaints about the result and no criticism of his players.
“We are disappointed to lose a significant game,” he said.
“We were second best on the evening and the best team won.
“The players have been outstanding for 46 games and deserve to be here.
“Their quality has shone brightly all season.”
Brentford found themselves 1-0 down on the night after an opening half hour of few chances.
Mark said his team were better after the break but they were picked off on the counter-attack as they chased the tie.
The Brentford boss said his team needed to take the chances that came their way.
“In the first half the players will admit we weren’t brave, didn’t get on the ball and lacked some care,” said Mark.
“We came in at half time 1-0 down and that wasn’t Brentford.
“We came out and started brightly.
“Their fans knew we started strongly in the second half, we had chances and they didn’t go in.
“We have to take those chances.
“We know if there is a common point to highlight all season it is to be more clinical in front of goal but we have scored a lot of goals from all over the park.
“There is no criticism tonight.”
At the final whistle, once Middlesbrough fans had been cleared from the pitch, Brentford’s players went over to thank around 1,500 travelling fans.
“We didn’t want to spoil Middlesbrough’s party at the end,” said Mark.
“But, even though they were feeling so low, the players wanted to come out and thank the fans.
“I hope that shows our supporters how much we appreciate their support, it has been magnificent all season.
“On a Friday night to bring that many fans up here, signing as they did for the last ten minutes, speaks volumes about the supporters of Brentford Football Club.”
Mark said he was very proud of the job he had done at Brentford.
He paid tribute to Owner Matthew Benham for his investment but said he hoped to leave Brentford in a better state than when he arrived as Interim First Team Coach in February 2011.
“I am very proud of the players and staff,” said Mark.
“I have spoken many times about the quality of our support staff, I watch them in awe sometimes.
“I joined the Club four and a half years ago.
“The investment from Matthew Benham has been outstanding and I would never say anything else.
“I have done a lot of work and think I leave the Club in a lot better place than when I arrived.”