Salford manager Karl Robinson believes his side were the better team despite succumbing to a 3-1 loss to MK Dons.
Matt Smith had put the visitors ahead early on only for the Dons to turn the game on its head as Kyran Lofthouse, Alex Gilbey and Emre Tezgel all netted in a frantic first half.
After the break, both sides were more sedate, but Robinson believes the better-performing side were not rewarded with the points.
“I felt that for a large part of that first half, we were by far the better team and second half, they did not have a shot on target,” Robinson said.
“You can clearly see it’s a better performance from us, but the result is the only thing that matters.
“We need to win. That’s a habit and is something expected of you by the football club, so we need to win.”
Smith bundled home a rebound to see Salford into the lead in the 12th minute before Lofthouse equalised 15 minutes later as he found the bottom corner.
Gilbey put the hosts ahead with a perfectly placed chip from just outside the box, and the comeback was completed before the first half was through as Tezgel’s header was deflected in by Smith.
Robinson bemoaned a missed penalty shout but also acknowledged his side’s lack of discipline as they failed to win for the fourth game in a row.
He added: “I don’t think they were good enough to beat us by 3-1.
“I feel that we were by far the better team for 20-25 minutes, but I thought we just went completely rogue in our lack of shape and discipline. We had stern words at half-time.
“The penalty the referee missed in the first half is unbelievable. It’s a clear elbow into the player’s face after getting contact with the football.
“It’s OK having a go at the referee but we then made stupid mistakes. It just seems at this moment in time that when things go a little down and flat, they revert to type, being open and not great on transitions.”
For MK Dons, the victory sees them sit just two points off the automatic promotion places in fourth.
Head coach Mike Williamson said: “The boys found a way, which is the important thing, especially at this stage.
“We didn’t start too well and if I’m being honest, I was furious at half-time.
“But the boys disarmed that because they came in and they were angry and were digging each other out.
“We were tired and we can’t allow that to happen, but the scoreline’s 3-1 at half-time and that just emphasises the quality that we’ve got and some of our play when we get it right.”
USWNT goalkeeper Naeher to retire from international football
United States goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is to retire from international football next month.
Naeher has won 113 caps for the USWNT and was a regular between the sticks during their most recent World Cup-winning campaign in 2019, also starting for Emma Hayes' Olympic Gold medallists in Paris earlier this year.
The 36-year-old, who has represented the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL since 2016, will link up with Hayes' side for their upcoming friendlies against England and the Netherlands, but that will be the final camp she attends.
Naeher said in a statement posted to her Instagram account: "With immense gratitude and very thoughtful consideration, I have decided to retire from the international game.
"Having the opportunity to be a part of the USWNT for the past 15 years has been the greatest honour.
"This has been a special team to be a part of and I am beyond proud of what we have achieved both on and off the field. The memories I have made over the years will last me a lifetime.
"I know one chapter is ending, but I am so excited to continue to see the growth of this team going forward and what more they can accomplish."
Hope Solo (202) and Briana Scurry (175) are the only goalkeepers to make more appearances for the team than Naeher, who made her debut versus Argentina in December 2014.
Mbappe position switch works wonders for Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti was satisfied his tactical decision to switch Kylian Mbappe's position in attack paid off in Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Leganes.
Mbappe scored his seventh goal of the season to help Madrid to a comfortable victory in LaLiga on Sunday.
However, his position in Madrid's front line has been a topic of debate since he joined the Spanish champions, with Mbappe having often played out wide while at Paris Saint-Germain.
And Ancelotti elected to switch Mbappe out to the left flank against Leganes, with Vinicius Junior spearheading Los Blancos' attack.
"Mbappe played on the left side, where he did well, and Vinicius on the inside," Ancelotti told reporters.
"We have to highlight their play to open the scoring. They did very, very well. Mbappe scored, after a fantastic assist from Vinicius. Little by little, they're both improving.
"Kylian is more used to playing there and today, for the team and for him, it was the best thing.
"Because playing on the outside brings more effort and Vinicius was back on Thursday. Meanwhile, Kylian had been training here for a week and a half, he was fresher."
Mbappe was not called up by France coach Didier Deschamps for this month's Nations League games, despite being Les Bleus' captain.
With an injury crisis at the back and a trip to Anfield to face Premier League and Champions League leaders Liverpool coming up, Ancelotti added he was hopeful of Lucas Vazquez, who has a hamstring strain, and Aurelien Tchouameni, who is recovering from a sprained left ankle, returning to action.
He was also upbeat about the contribution of Federico Valverde, who scored from a free-kick while filling in at right-back.
"The truth is that Fede, at the back, has done very well," said Ancelotti of the Uruguayan, who also wore the captain's armband.
"He's a fantastic fullback. After Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez, the best right-back in the world. His problem is that he can play at this level in many positions and is the coach's problem to choose the best position for the team.
"Let's see if Lucas and Tchouameni can recover. If not, we will make decisions."
Jude Bellingham netted Madrid's other goal as Ancelotti's team closed to within four points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona, who drew 2-2 with Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Madrid also have a game in hand on Hansi Flick's side.
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