Iron manager Paul Hurst gave his verdict following a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Newport County in Sky Bet League Two.
The Exiles struck either side of the break and an own goal handed Hurst’s side a leveller at Rodney Parade.
He told iFollow Iron: "There were two different halves today in terms of performance.
“It’s a difficult place to come to but I felt we deserved something from the game. For a team that’s up there and doing well, there wasn’t any gulf really.”
The boss believed the Iron could have snatched a point after a much improved display after the interval.
“First-half, we played into their hands. In the second-half, we started to pass the ball and look a far better side," he said.
“We could’ve easily got something. We equalised in a good move, albeit with a bit of fortune from an own goal. The winning goal is a long, high ball that our lads felt he was going to run through and gave up on the second ball - but it’s a good finish.”
“We asked questions of them but we weren’t ruthless enough when opportunities came our way,” he explained.
He had his say on the hosts’ first goal after Padraig Amond netted in the fourth minute of stoppage time, after just two were added on in the first period.
“The fourth official said it was time and there were two throw-ins then a free-kick. Even when we cleared the first ball, he didn’t blow. You get that horrible feeling stood on the side and that came true today.”
He added: “It still didn’t change what I would’ve said to the players at half time that we expect better from them and them to be braver to get on the ball. When we have the ball, we need to make better decisions.
“We all know, when you’re playing against one of the top teams in the league, you need to play better for longer.”
Hurst is hoping his side can regroup ahead of a mid-week clash with high flyers Exeter City.
“It's a really tough challenge against Exeter. We’ll have to dust ourselves down and get ready to go again on Tuesday,” he said. ”We’ve got players that can compete and win that game.”
See much more from Paul Hurst and James Perch on iFollow Iron. Click here to sign-up.