MIDFIELDER Joe Powell admits Burton Albion's players were frustrated at losing a game he felt could have gone either way at home to Portsmouth - but says the Brewers will not back down from challenging teams at the top and bottom of the table.
The Brewers were solid for the first hour of the game before an unfortunate own goal from Sam Hughes gave the visitors a lead they would not relinquish, with Colby Bishop adding a second late on to secure an away win for Danny Cowley's side.
Powell had a great chance to open the scoring in the first half when he intercepted a wayward pass from Portsmouth keeper Josh Griffiths on the edge of the box and had space but saw his effort blocked - while in the second half Sam Winnall headed narrowly over from a deep cross and Victor Adeboyejo had a goal ruled out for a very narrow offside.
"I think the players are very frustrated and it shows obviously our standards," said Powell. "We've not had the greatest run of luck and our performances haven't been the best, but I think tonight the frustration shows because we've stuck in there.
"We've blocked, we've had a couple of chances, me with one of them. When that one comes to me on the edge of the box I've probably got a little bit more time than I think.
"They're at the top and things fall for you - the first but even the second goal, he's run across the front post, got a toe on it and it's gone in.
"We've had Sam running in at the back post - half a second later, it's a goal. Same with Vic if he comes back onside half a second earlier.
"I think the biggest thing is we grafted for a point, minimum, but it could have gone either way and we're frustrated.
"But there's no doubt in my mind that we'll turn it around. You can see from our performance, it shows that we won't back down whether we're playing top of the league or the teams around us."