While admitting he was “massively disappointed” after conceding two stoppage-time goals against Cardiff City, manager Ryan Lowe couldn’t fault the performance of his players.
Preston North End went ahead just three minutes into the second half through Milutin Osmajić, but a red card for Robbie Brady in the 52nd minute looked like it might change the game.
However, North End were defending well until goals in the 96th and 99th minute saw the visitors from South Wales snatch victory right at the death.
Ryan said: “I’m massively disappointed, but I can’t fault their effort.
“They were on the floor in there. We’ve had to pick them up. We’ll be in tomorrow to recover and do everything we need to do.
“It’s cruel, isn’t it? We’d have taken a draw because when they put that much pressure on you we need to find a solution to stay in the game and keep doing the right things.
“Our lads were dead on their feet, shattered. They were down to ten men, played more or less 40-odd minutes with ten men which is a killer and then to concede in the 96th and 99th minute is even worse. But I’m proud of the boys.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with their attitude or application. I thought if it stayed 11 men we’d potentially go and win the game comfortably.”
Two weeks on from a 90th-minute winner in a Lancashire derby at Ewood Park, North End are experiencing the other side of the emotion scale this time round.
However, with a trip to Middlesbrough on Tuesday and a home match against Queens Park Rangers to follow on Friday, there’s no time to mourn.
Ryan said: “They’re on the floor, but I have to go in as the leader and the manager to pick them up.
“We’re in tomorrow morning, we’ll have a smile on our face, and we’ll debrief the games and the goals with the lads who were involved in it and we’ll keep smiling.
“What these boys are doing for this football club is nothing but terrific, and I think everyone should agree with me on that.
“We’re going to lose games, we’re going to win games, we’re going to draw games.
“There’s no blame culture. Robbie got sent off, there’s no blame from me that it’s Robbie’s fault. Robbie’s held his hand up with it but there’s no blame. We stick together in these moments.
“We’ve won games in the 90th minute – a derby two weeks ago – they’re the good moments. When it happens to you, you take the good with the bad and today we’ve got to take the bad.
“We’re disappointed. Everyone going home is disappointed but we have to pick ourselves up and go again because we’ve got another tough game against Middlesbrough on Tuesday and then another good game at home on Friday against Queens Park Rangers so there’s no time for sulking.”