Owen Bailey declared an overwhelming feeling of frustration as Rovers failed to make dominance of the ball count against Salford City.
Rovers produced much the better attacking play on the night at the Eco-Power Stadium but fell to a 3-0 defeat as the ruthless visitors took their opportunities.
And, speaking to the media in the aftermath, Bailey said there were plenty of lessons to be taken from the defeat.
“It feels like a smash-and-grab but at the same time we’ve got to be better,”
“When you start the game as we did, you’re always chasing it. We’ve effectively given them a one-goal head start, which was another frustrating moment.
“We were chasing it, even though it was only a minute or two into the game. It’s changed the whole dynamic of the game.
“But I think we coped with it well. We grew into the game. Conceding another one was frustrating again but it didn’t really knock us too much because we still played and created chances.
“The third goal was against the run of massively and from there it’s game over at 3-0 down.”
The versatile 24-year-old said it was not until Matt Smith completed his hat trick on 77 minutes that Rovers felt they were out of the game.
“It was a feeling we as players definitely shared,” he said.
“At half time at 2-0 down, we all knew we were massively in the game and it was all about getting the next goal.
“The fans were brilliant for us again, and they have been all season. I think it’s a real big thing for us because it definitely drives us forward.
“We all felt we could get back in the game but ultimately we didn’t. We had the offside goal, it is what it is.
“On another night, we get one, the momentum of the game totally changes and you never know what might happen but we didn’t unfortunately.”
