First team manager Neil Cox provided his reaction to iFollow Iron after his side were beaten 2-1 at home by Mansfield Town in the Papa John's Trophy group stages on Tuesday night.
Two goals late in the first half put the Stags in the ascendency at the break, after he felt United had played okay up to them taking the lead. During that period, Kevin van Veen hit the crossbar with a free-kick.
After some home truths were said in the changing room at half-time, Cox was happy with the spirit shown in the second-half, during which Olufela Olomola scored a spectacular first senior goal for the club, and United could have drawn level at the end, coming close through Emmanuel Onariase and Olomola again.
Cox said: "Yet again, it's frustrating because we conceded from a set-play again and then went 2-0 down with bad defending once more, after the opening 30 minutes where I felt we did alright. We then conceded the goal and went missing a little bit.
"We changed a few things at half-time, and had a little bit of a go in the second half and showed some spirit. At the moment, we're just lacking a little bit of quality and there was a little bit of nervousness in the young boys.
"We've had some tough weeks with not being able to train (due to the club's COVID-19 situation), but I saw some lads having a right good go for me, trying to win second balls, fight for their team and show some spirit. If everyone does that, we'll be fine, will get some results and our luck will change.
"When we get chances, we have to take them too. It was good to see Kev back and get 45 minutes into him (as van Veen continues his recovery from a three month knee injury lay-off).
"We had a go until the end but I'm still really disappointed with the result and the way we conceded the goals.
"I want to win football games. I've not come here to lose. It's time to battle, be brave, put your head in where it hurts and fight for some points.
"I'll go home tonight and watch the game back, do my notes and get focused tomorrow morning on the Oldham game (on Saturday). We'll go there looking to roll our sleeves up, fight and put a performance in."
See more from Neil Cox and Olufela Olomola on iFollow Iron. Click here to get your iFollow match pass for the Iron's away League Two game at Oldham Athletic on Saturday.