First team manager Neil Cox spoke to iFollow Iron after a Ben Garrity goal just before half-time saw his side beaten 1-0 at home by Port Vale on Saturday.
Scunthorpe had chances through George Taft, Alfie Beestin and Emmanuel Onariase, but it was the in-form Valiants who took the three points at the Sands Venue Stadium.
Cox said: "We're just disappointed with the goal. We didn't play very well, and not like we did last week (at Carlisle), but we hung in there. However, we conceded such a poor goal just before half-time through people not doing their jobs - what we've taught them to do and what they have been doing.
"We huffed and puffed, trying to get forward and get crosses in. We had to change it because one or two lads picked up knocks, and we had a good go in the second half. We just lacked that little bit of belief in front of goal and probably shot from too far out at times, not picking the final pass. We're getting in those positions but it's that final pass.
"They counter-attacked us a couple of times but didn't really hurt us. I can't really remember too many saves being made by either goalkeeper.
"There was nothing between the two teams. They've just won three in a row and are fourth in the league, while we've just been beaten again and are down at the bottom at the moment. I've just told the players that we have to be better, and can't afford to turn up in one game for 70 minutes and then not turn up for the next two.
"We're learning on the job. You look at the experience in their side and they knew how to slow the game down, for example their goalkeeper taking a goal kick near the end. We have to learn from these situations, such as how we could have prevented their goal.
"We went back to a 4-4-2 today and tried to play four at the back with Harry (Davis) not being fit. We handled their strikers, but one disappointing moment cost us."
See much more from Neil Cox and Ross Millen on iFollow Iron.