Head Coach Paul Warne says his Derby County side had plenty to be positive about despite a punishing late 2-1 defeat at Luton Town on Friday night.
The Rams suffered heartache in added time at Kenilworth Road after Kayden Jackson put Derby ahead in the second period, but Luton came back with two deflected goals in the final minutes of the game.
A spirited defensive display before the final knockings of the match saw excellent blocks and tackles from Callum Elder and Nat Phillips, amongst others, to deny goalscoring opportunities and provided a proud performance.
Warne spoke to RamsTV to give his thoughts after a tough result on the road.
On falling to a late defeat against Luton…
I thought we played really well. I didn't really like the first half. It was an ugly game. The pitch wasn't really that conducive to a smoother game. We did probably need to be a bit braver at times, though, and we said that at half-time.
We needed to counter at pace and pick the right pass out. I thought we were really good in the second half. I was really pleased. We also defended well until the 90th minute.
Both goals were potentially deflected and it’s a hard way to lose - so I just feel a bit raw with emotion for the lads. We try and drive their performance levels but I think they gave everything they could.
It's a game that we set out to win. We played an aggressive team. Unfortunately, the last four minutes are what it will be remembered for, which is harsh on my boys.
On the positive aspects of the performance…
I thought we defended really well - and without Eiran Cashin available. We frustrated them too, giving them very few chances. I know Jacob Zetterström made a great save in the second half but I don't remember a lot more he was made to do.
We looked dangerous on the counter-attack and created good opportunities. I thought there were some really good performances. The midfield three were really good. Ben Osborn dictated play really well. The longer the game went on, the more involved and the better Kenzo Goudmijn was. I thought both wing-backs worked hard and went man-to-man to defend well. Jerry Yates and Kayden Jackson worked tirelessly up top, too.
They brought on the big guns late on and in fairness, when you're 1-0 down at home, you might as well bring three strikers on. Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't. Unfortunately for us, it worked for Luton tonight.
On getting back to work and changing focus to West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day…
We will watch tonight’s game back and, hopefully, we'll be able to show the players things that can help improve us. Sometimes it's just the randomness that is difficult to review with late goals.
I want them to hurt for an hour, but once they get on the team coach, I want that to be over because from a performance perspective away from home, against a team who have strong form at home. It's not an easy place to come and I thought we kept it quiet for 99% of the time. Hopefully, the lads see me saying how proud I was of them - because I am.