Malcolm Fleming lamented the inability to cherish possession as Otago United's playoff hopes were extinguished in Christchurch yesterday.
Otago was beaten 3-1 by Canterbury United at Linfield Park, in a game it needed to win to stay in contention for the top four in the ASB Premiership.
The home side scored a goal right on halftime and another straight after the break, to take control of the game.
"They looked after their ball and took their chances," Fleming said after the loss.
"There was nothing fancy about their goals but they just poked them in when they had to.
"We didn't look after the ball and we didn't deliver the ball particularly well. That meant we didn't create enough chances."
Otago will now have to wait two weeks for its season-ending game, against table-topping Waitakere.
In a sort of limbo, unable to make the playoffs and guaranteed to avoid the wooden spoon, Otago will be playing only for pride and perhaps an opportunity to finish sixth.
"It's frustrating. We would have liked to be going into our final game with a shot at the playoffs," Fleming said.
"But this is how it's turned out. We still need to train hard and finish our season well. It might be a good chance for some young guys to show they are keen to step up."
Fleming paid tribute to Otago stalwart Andy Coburn, who is heading overseas and played his final game for United yesterday.
"Andy has been such a good player for Otago. It would have been nice to send him out with a win."
Otago competed well in midfield in the first half yesterday but could not find a way to get the ball into the box.
Canterbury took a 1-0 lead in the 44th minute when All Whites midfielder Aaron Clapham curled in a free kick that was not cleared.
Sam Miles poked the rebound into the net.
Canterbury jumped to a 2-0 lead early in the second half.
Otago defender Tom Sadd was caught in possession, giving Russell Kamo space to slot the ball past Otago keeper Adam Highfield.
Fleming inserted Aaron Burgess and Harley Rodeka into the game in an attempt to find some more holes up front.
It worked, but in an unexpected fashion, as an Otago corner led to Canterbury's Glen Collins heading the ball into his own net.
Otago's delight at being back in the game was short-lived as Joe Murray scored the decisive third goal for Canterbury just five minutes later.
Waitakere confirmed its credentials with a 6-1 thrashing of Waikato, while Hawkes Bay upset Wellington 3-1 in the capital.
