Joel Byrom was frustrated with North End’s start which seen them fall behind early, on a disappointing night at the Broadfield Stadium.
After losing a goal in the game’s opening exchanges, the Lilywhites eventually forced their way into the contest; Jack King striking the crossbar in the second-half the closest they came to drawing level.
But it was the hosts who claimed all three points.
Speaking exclusively to PNE.Com after that match Byrom said: “The defeat has come from the first 15 minutes of the game where we were miles off it.
“You can’t give teams time like that, especially when you come away from home.
“You need to keep your banks of four together and make it hard for them and we didn’t do that for the first 20 minutes and that cost us.
“We just didn’t get out the traps, we just couldn’t get ourselves out, it took us about half an hour to get going, it’s too late then.
“Second half we came out and won a lot of second balls, we got our shape a little bit better but if you start like that it is going to be too late.
“The gaffer has had some words at half-time and got us together and got our shape and then second-half, as I said, we have won a lot more second balls and we have put more pressure on them in their own half and that has helped us and we have ended up creating a couple of chances and we could have nicked the draw.
“Jack worked tirelessly all night and I thought he was outstanding, he really deserved a goal and was unlucky with his header.
“I don’t think there is any sort of end of season mentality with us.
“We want to win every game and take that momentum into next season and you could see that in the second-half especially.”
On a personal level, the North End central midfielder was pleased to get 75 minutes under his belt as he returns to full fitness following a hernia operation and although disappointed with the result he was pleased to see extended playing time again.
“It is the first time I have played any sort of competitive football for about ten or 12 weeks now so it was good to get 75 minutes,” added Joel.
“I’m just disappointed we didn’t get the result.
“It is very difficult to come back into a League One game and get straight up to the pace of it.
“It took me a while to get going tonight but in the second-half I sort of got into the game a little bit and then I ran out of legs.”
More than 230 North End fans made the long journey south for the second time, following the games late postponement earlier in the season and Byrom had nothing but complimentary things to say about the fans following their latest fantastic backing.
He continued: “The fans were magnificent again tonight, that sort of following on a Tuesday night is a credit to them and they have been like that all season and tonight they were brilliant again.”