Rob Kelly admitted he felt for his players after a 93rd minute goal at The University of Bolton Stadium robbed them of what would have been a well-earned point on Saturday afternoon.
The caretaker boss once again engineered a performance full of heart and determination against in-form Wanderers who struggled to break down a stubborn resistance from The Bluebirds.
Indeed, Kelly’s men could even have come away with three points had Jason Taylor’s first half chance found the net and not been brilliantly saved by home keeper Matt Gilks.
However, Wanderers’ substitute Shaun Miller had the final say when he rifled in the only goal of the game with just seconds of injury time remaining to clinch their fifth League Two win in a row.
“It was a really dogged performance full of character and resilience, but we do know that we can play better,” Kelly told iFollow afterwards.
“They’re a good side and the form team in the division on a great run but I just really feel for the players and for the supporters who watched it because I thought we deserved to get something.
“That’s life and sometimes you don’t get what you deserve but I am a big believer that if you keep working hard then it will even itself out.
“Before Tuesday with two tough away games to come if someone had said we would pick up two draws I think everyone would have been satisfied but we’ve got three points and that’s positive.
“I am just really disappointed for the lads. They worked hard, which is the minimum requirement, but for large spells I thought we matched them, and I couldn’t really ask more in terms of character and work rate.
“We don’t have to wait long now, we dust ourselves down and go again on Tuesday – that’s all we can do.”
Click here to watch the post-match video interview with Rob Kelly in full on iFollow.