Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said his side did more than enough to win their Sky Bet Championship game against Sheffield Wednesday last night but paid the price for missing chances.
The Bees were beaten 1-0 at Hillsborough, conceding a goal late in the second half to Kieran Lee.
The Brentford boss admitted the loss was “very disappointing” as his team had plenty of good opportunities.
Alan Judge had two attempts with only home goalkeeper Kieren Westwood to beat, hitting one straight at the goalkeeper, who pushed it on to the crossbar, and firing the other over the bar.
Andre Gray went close on a few occasions while Harlee Dean, Jota and Stuart Dallas also had sights of goal.
The defeat leaves Brentford seventh in the table with three games to go and Mark said his side are now targeting nine points to give them a total of 80.
“It was very disappointing,” said the Brentford boss.
“There is no point masking the fact we have dropped three points tonight but we can still get to 80 points and that is our target.
“I thought the game would be tight but we did more than enough to win it.
“But you have to take your chances.
“All credit to Sheffield Wednesday, they took their chance when it came along.
“The surface was difficult but we didn’t want to use that as an excuse.
“People spoke about the pitch but we came here and looked to play.
“After half time even more so, we dominated possession and created some good chances.
“But you have to take your chances.
“We hit the bar in the first half, Andre pulled one wide, Judgey had a good chance.
“We can talk all night but goals change games.”
The goal came inside the last 15 minutes.
Jon Toral was robbed in midfield and when a cross was half cleared, Lee smashed it in.
“David Button’s distribution was outstanding and we had two full backs that wanted to get on the ball,” explained Mark.
“We knew Wednesday would push on to try and stop us playing so we pushed our full backs on and David was hitting them.
“He tried to mix it up and push it in to Jon Toral, Jon was closed down, it fell their way and it was four-on-three and it fell to them to score.”
Mark said his team lost the first of seven “cup finals” but he still believed they would reach the Play-Offs.
“We have lost a game of football we wanted to win at a vital stage of the season,” he said.
“There is no point going in to the dressing room and saying ‘unlucky boys, we move on’, we have dropped three points.
“But we can still get 80 points and that will be a magnificent total.
“I think we have six games to go.
“We have lost the first of seven cup finals.
“Everyone has said we did enough to win but talk is cheap, you have to take chances, the players know that.”
Brentford were without Alex Pritchard and Chris Long at Hillsborough.
Mark said England Under-21 midfield player Pritchard would not be out long term and missing one game should ensure he is available for the rest of Brentford’s season and the UEFA Under-21 European Championships in the summer.
“Alex Pritchard has a dead calf, he got a kick,” explained Mark.
“It is one of those injuries that takes a couple of days to settle down but it ruled him out tonight.
“With the games coming thick and fast we have to look after the welfare of the players.
“Alex has a number of big games coming up for us and for England, hopefully.
“Tonight came too soon.
“Chris Long has an injury, he got a whack just above the knee on Friday.
“That happens.”
Mark said he wanted his team to get to 80 points but said fewer may be needed to reach the Play-Offs.
He said he had no doubts his squad was strong enough to get the points required.
“The players’ efforts have put them in this position,” said Mark.
“We are on 71 points and if we get to 80 that would be a magnificent achievement.
“And we might not even need 80, 75 or 76 could do it.
“Who knows? It is that sort of league.
“There will be more twists and turns to come and this squad is strong enough to get us there.
“We have options."
The first of Brentford’s three remaining games is at home to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, April 18.
“We have to prepare for Bolton,” added Mark.
“We have to make sure the players are best prepare for another tough games.
“You can see the players are fit enough, it is just a maintenance programme.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Mark Warburton here.