Preston North End manager Darren Ferguson said his team were "in it until the end" following the 3-2 away defeat to West Brom.
The Lilywhite's decision maker was forced into some late team changes following Paul Coutts and Billy Jones missing out. Coutts was still suffering from a tight hamstring picked up in Tuesday night's draw with Sheffield Wednesday and Jones was taken ill last night.
The defeat means North End remain on 48 points but slip down one place in the Championship table to 14th. Cardiff still occupy the final play-off spot on 55 points but will be hoping to stretch their lead against Watford on Sunday.
The defeat also means North End slip to their first defeat in six games but now face a tricky away tie to Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.
But the Gaffer has insited his team's attacking display was good, it's just the defensive errors his side need to iron out of their game.
Ferguson said: "We actually started the game really well and we should have been 1-0 up, but before we knew it we were 2-0 down.
"Unfortunately we are letting in sloppy goals and it is costing us points. Having said that we dug in and West Brom knew they were in a game today.
"Sean [St. Ledger] got us back in the game and we sustained a little bit of pressure with corners and things like that. But it has taken a great goal from the lad Dorrans to win the game.
"There is a lot of positives to take from the team's performance. At the moment we are looking like a team that can score goals but unfortunately we're looking like a team who conceeds goals. Basic errors are costing us but there was some really good performances by some of my players.
"Neil [Mellor] has shown really good composure and it was a great finish going around the keeper before half-time. At that moment I thought we could have got something out of it.
"Even up to the last minute we knew we were still in it but sloppy goals have cost us unfortunately.
"Callum Davidson was outstanding at left back, Chappy [Richard Chaplow] did well coming back into the team. So unfortunately it is our first defeat in six and we have to go again.
"Generally when teams play two different formations the team who keeps the ball better are on top. The one thing I say all time time is concentration levels."
Ferguson had to go with two midfield youngsters on the bench following the news of Coutts and Jones, but the Scottish manager is keen on the duo returning for Tuesday.
"We lost a couple of players today, Paul Coutts and Billy Jones which was disappointing. We now have to go again Tuesday, it was a big game for us. Coutts has got a tight hamstring so we couldn't risk it. Jones has had a sickness bug so he has been sent home, he was really ill last night so we put him in quarantine and sent him home. I would imagine they would both be okay for Tuesday."
On the other injury news the Gaffer told PNE online: "Youl will do some straight running tomorrow so we'll see how he is. We are a little bit thin on numbers so we have to be careful with people but there's always the risk if you do chuck them in you could lose them for the last eight games. Danny Mayor tweaked his hamstring on Friday and didn't travel."
When asked about the play-offs Ferguson refused to rule it out claiming that if the team put a good run together it's still possible.
Ferguson concluded: "If we go on a run then we have got a chance. We have lost only one in six but there have been too many draws. Two draws at home last week have cost us four points and that can make a difference.
"I'm quite a positive person and I'm not going to say we're out of the play-offs because we're not. We've got to make sure we are at it, but in the main I've been quite pleased with the players."
