Goalkeeper Ryan Allsop felt Derby County put in a positive performance against AFC Bournemouth but just fell short as they were beaten 2-0 at the Vitality Stadium.
A goal from Dominic Solanke deep into first half stoppage time gave the Cherries the lead, whilst in the final minute of the second half, substitute Jamal Lowe fired home a rebound to make sure of the points.
But, that didn’t tell the full story of the game as the Rams felt they should have been awarded a first half penalty after Ravel Morrison was appeared to be caught in the penalty box. The referee was unmoved and waved away the strong protests.
And Derby were left to rue missed opportunities as Lee Buchanan and Morrison were both denied by Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers in the second half before the Cherries took the game away from the Rams.
“Overall I think it was a really positive performance,” Allsop told RamsTV after the game. “I think we dominated the game, especially in the second half. It’s a disappointing result.
“We knew it was going to be a tough test to come here. They’re near the top of the table, pushing for promotion but we thought we could come here and cause them problems and I think we did.
“On the whole we played really well. A couple of moments went against us which has ultimately cost us the game.”
He added: “A couple of decisions went against us in the build up to their goal but then we have to react better. We have to stop the throw in at source, and we need to be better in those moments.
“It’s cost us the game today but it’s how we react to that now. As I say, it was a positive performance, we need to look at it again and go again on Tuesday.”
The Rams now have nine games remaining and sit five points behind Reading who occupy the place above the relegation zone.
It’s going to be a tough ask for the Rams to turn around the 21-point deduction, but Allsop knows there is a strong dynamic in the dressing room which could hopefully see them through.
“The group of lads we have in that dressing room, the spirit and togetherness we have got is unbelievable and one of the best I have been a part of, so we’ll keep going,” he said.
“We know what we have to do, we have to pick up wins. We came here to try and win today but unfortunately we couldn’t do that but we will go to Blackburn and get the win.”
The Rams now travel north to take on Blackburn Rovers who have stuttered in recent weeks.
They still sit inside the Championship play-off picture, so it will be a tough encounter, but Allsop admitted the players will travel north with a belief they can get something from the game.
“It’s about how we react,” he admitted. “I think we have shown our quality throughout the season against every team we have played. The way we play is unique and it causes teams massive problems, and it showed again today.
“We will go to Blackburn with positivity and trying to win the game, and cause them problems like we have to Bournemouth today. Unfortunately the result went against us but we will try and put that right on Tuesday.”