Mads Frøkjær felt there were plenty of positives to take from Preston North End’s performance in the 2-1 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road.
PNE headed to Yorkshire for a lunchtime kick-off to take on a side fourth in the division who have won back-to-back games, however within the first couple of minutes it was North End who took the lead.
Will Keane got his side going, although Dan James levelled shortly afterwards, and it looked as though that was where the scoring would end, until a stoppage-time penalty from Joël Piroe won the game for the hosts.
Mads said: “I think we did decent enough. It’s a tough away game. They’re a big club and they have ambitions about the Premier League, so we can’t come here and expect to play dream football and get the three points.
“I think we gave it a try and played decent. We had some good chances, conceded a few chances, and in the end it was a very even game.
“It’s a refereeing decision in the end that’s given them the biggest chance in the game so it is what it is.”
Things couldn’t have started much better for Ryan Lowe’s men, who found the front within just 65 seconds of kick-off, as Keane tapped home on the end of a drilled cross from Liam Millar.
Keane was partnering Emil Riis at the top end of the pitch, with fellow Dane Mads occupying a position just behind the duo up top.
Mads said: “I don’t think you ever expect to score in the first five minutes, but I had a good feeling going into the game for the team and for myself.
“We’ve been training well this week and the second half of last week was good. I think there was belief coming into it that we could start well so it was good to get a goal early on.
“It was a bit annoying to concede one straight after, but it was a good start. I don’t think you can expect it, but we’ll take it.
“It's nice to play with Keano. I like to link up so that’s good for me, and I love that Emil is also back in the squad getting some pace in behind so we can try and find him.
“We had a good rotation today of three players who are good at different things. It’s always nice when somebody scores.”
The Dane wasn’t actually on the pitch for the late drama, having been substituted in the final minute of normal time.
His start against Leeds United was his 13th in the Championship following his arrival in the summer from OB.
“I’m feeling like I’m getting used to the tempo,” he added. “The first few months, even though it went well, I still felt everyone around me felt a bit quicker.
“I feel like I’m getting up to the pace now and I’m just waiting to get into the rhythm of playing regularly every week. It was a decent performance.”