NIGEL Clough thought the Brewers conceded too easily to give Hull the advantage but was frustrated not to get a penalty that might have given the Brewers a foothold in the game.
The Brewers manager said: "I thought the scoreline was a bit harsh on us but the first two goals were too easy and there was a game-changing moment when we had a penalty turned down at 1-0. You get back to 1-1 and you never know.
"We started the second half well but the third goal killed it. Every time we get a few situations, the ball doesn't drop for us and we haven't got enough quality at times. Then they go up the other end and score the first time they have been in our penalty area in the second half. They get a penalty and it is game over.
"It has to be damage limitation then and the players have to understand, don't go and lose four or five.
"When you concede early it's always going to be an uphill struggle from there and that was the difference at the start."
The Brewers cause wasn't helped by losing three players during the game.
Clough said: "We lost three players by half time - two injured, one ill and Kyle McFazean with illness ahead of the game. Lloyd Dyer has done his hamstring, Tom Naylor his thigh and John Brayford was being violently ill by half-time. Marvin Sordell was coming off at half-time as well as he got a whack on the ankle but we had to tell him to put his kit back on.
"But that's all incidental and we really did need to get something tonight. But there is still 12 points to play for and we will have a go at Derby on Saturday."