NIGEL Clough said he thought the 2-0 defeat at home to Brentford was "harsh" on his players.
The Brewers manager said: "We went toe-to-toe with Brentford for large periods of the game but once the first goal goes in you see heads drop a little bit and especially when the second one goes in they are in danger of running amok which we didn't want to happen.
"They got their tails up at 2-0 and they are as good a footballing side as you get in the Championship.
"But we caused them problems with balls across the face of the goal. There weren't many clear cut chances in the game and Stephen Bywater didn't have much to do apart from the last 10 minutes.
"We were also very unfortunate with the first goal. That was the difference tonight, the first goal.
"We tried to get the ball wide and to get crosses in and when we did do that, we looked dangerous.
"Brentford are very relaxed about the way they play and are difficult team to play against with some very good players. Their set plays were excellent and right on the button. That's why they are just outside the play offs.
"I thought Marvin Sordell was a bright spark for us as well when he came on and it's great to have him back.
"Overall I though despite their quality we were well in it until the second goal.
"It is psychological now for us at home when the first goal goes in and then it lends itself to the physical side and players lose half a yard."
Unfortunately, Albion lost Damien McCrory, making his first start since recovering from injury, after picking up a knock in the first half.
Clough said: "We lost our balance when Damien McCrory came off. I thought he was causing problems down the left hand side with Lloyd Dyer and that disrupted us when he went off.
"Damien had a clash of knees and we hope it's just bruising. It was a shame as he looked fresh, got forward and defended well. It was a blow to lose him."