Frustrated manager Gary Johnson admitted that Cheltenham Town need more experience and better game management after the 4-3 defeat at Cambridge United.
The Robins twice led in the first half - courtesy of a first Football League goal from George Lloyd before Mo Eisa broke the club goal-scoring record to make it 2-1 at the interval.
Eisa added his 22nd League Two goal of the campaign late in the second half, but the hosts ran out winners with three goals after the break in a topsy-turvy encounter at the Abbey Stadium.
“We are where we are and that’s why we are in this position in the league,” said Johnson, reflecting on the performance.
“We needed that experience on the pitch so that when we’re in the lead, we can stay in the lead.
“We’ve blooded in a few young lads and some of them have done very well like in the first half where I thought we were superb.
“We played well and looked confident creating chances, and Mo (Eisa) was getting in which he hasn’t for a little while.”
The U’s missed a penalty just before the half-time whistle, but were awarded another in the second half, which Jevani Brown converted after George Maris had made it 2-2.
Eisa’s second made it 3-3 but Barry Corr’s scrappy finish in 82nd minute gave Cambridge all three points.
“The three goals we scored were good goals but unfortunately the important goal was always going to be the next one after half-time, and whether our lads could cope with their onslaught,” added Johnson.
“Obviously, they were going to do that as they were very upset about the penalty that had been blasted over the bar.
“We thought one of the penalties was a penalty but the second one was a bit harsh on Cranners (Jordan Cranston) as we thought he got a touch on the ball.
“It was disappointing as we haven’t let in four for a long time, but it is what it is, and we have to keep going and working with the ones that we think will take us into the future and move on the ones that can’t.”
Despite the loss, the Robins boss was pleased with the impact his strikers made at the Abbey Stadium.
Eisa’s brace now takes his total tally this season to 24 - with 22 coming in the league after breaking Julian Alsop’s 20-goal record with a brilliant curling free-kick in the 13th minute.
Lloyd also scored his first Sky Bet League Two goal in the third minute, taking his tally including youth-team and reserve matches this season up to 41.
“I was really pleased with George’s (Lloyd) goal,” Johnson continued.
“But he didn’t have much to do in the second half, so we thought as a young lad he’s done his bit by scoring his goal.”
“Mo (Eisa) scored two good goals again so it was great to get him back on the scoresheet so there were some positives.”
“They both did well and were a constant threat, but Cambridge came out with the momentum in the second half, so they had little to do.”
He continued: “It’s the game management that makes your players the top players.”
“These lads will get experience by learning from their mistakes and that’s what happened today.”