Disappointed manager Gary Johnson admitted that everyone at the club was gutted after Cheltenham Town lost the Gloucestershire derby to Forest Green Rovers.
Christian Doidge’s late first half strike was enough for Mark Cooper’s side to take a vital three points in their bid to stay in Sky Bet League Two at the LCI Rail Stadium.
“We didn’t really start well, and they started brighter,” admitted Johnson.
“We didn’t really get ourselves into the game at any point and they looked like they were fighting for their lives.
“Some of our boys didn’t really turn up as far as the battle or the mental toughness was concerned I suppose in playing our game against them.
“The boys are really gutted, I’m gutted and obviously the supporters are really gutted," he added.
“But that’s football and we just have to keep going and trying to improve as games go.”
The Robins’ boss also said that quality was an issue, with his side unable to make lengthy spells of second half possession count.
He added: “Each time the young lads and players learn their lessons from these types of games.”
“We didn’t show a lot of ability and couldn’t find that final pass or that final bit of quality in their penalty area.
“They dominated the penalty area and took their chance that came along but they didn’t have too many chances in the second half and that’s when we needed the quality.
“We showed a little bit in the second half to try and wrestle it back, but the quality wasn’t there and when we did get that one shot their keeper made a really good save.
“It was about us and making sure that we didn’t go two down so that we stayed in the game but obviously we had to put a little bit more up front.
“What worked so well against Morecambe didn’t work against these on the day, so you have to give credit to the opposition.
“We’ve had a few strong words with the lads and the lads are disappointed, but we mustn’t let it demoralise our football club.”
Johnson also confirmed why Will Boyle was not selected against Forest Green adding : “I didn’t feel that he was right mentally coming into the game.
“We have been talking about contracts with him and we made an offer which we thought was a very good offer, but he’s got advice from other people to say that other clubs are interested.
“Of course, at that point you’ve got to make sure that people who are playing in your team, whether they are playing well or not, have got the urge to play for this football club."