Crusaders defender Jordan Forsythe lamented a “poor” first half display which he believes cost his side in their north Belfast derby defeat by Cliftonville.
Joe Gormley scored the only goal of the game in the first half, whilst the Reds also squandered a handful of chances to further extend their advantage.
Crusaders improved in the second half and had opportunities of their own to level, but Forsythe believes they left themselves with too much of a mountain to climb.
“I think the first half performance was poor from us, we gave Cliftonville far too much of the ball and they are good with it, they work a lot on their shape and they’re good at pulling you out,” he told BBC Sport NI.
“There was some good football from both sides, and it was a good advert for the league.”
The result, coupled with Portadown’s win against Ballymena sees the Crues drop out of the top six.
And Forsythe was disappointed with his own and his teammates’ wastefulness in front of goal in the latter stages of the game when they carved out opportunities.
“We came out in the second half and give it a good push, but the wee bit of luck when you were waiting on one to fall for you just wasn’t there tonight,” he continued.
“I think with the number of chances we had in the second half; we are disappointed because we should take them.”