Omer Riza admitted Cardiff City should have gained more from a spirited defeat to promotion-chasing Burnley.
The Bluebirds boss saw his team throw everything at Burnley late on, but they eventually suffered a 2-1 home defeat that leaves them one place above the relegation zone, but with a five-point cushion.
Cardiff became the first team to score a goal against the meanest defence in the Championship for 13 matches when Yousef Salech made it 2-1 just before the break.
But the Danish striker headed against the bar late on and substitute Will Fish missed a glorious opportunity to score in added time.
“We are disappointed,” said Riza.
“But you can’t give goals away like we did. They weren’t outstanding goals, we were poor at dealing with the ball in the box. We didn’t get tight enough or pick up men well enough.
“To go 2-0 down to a team like Burnley, you make it very hard for yourself. We scored the goal and got a lifeline.
“I thought in the second half we were better than them if I am being honest.”
Clarets manager Scott Parker looked anxious as Cardiff piled on late pressure, but goals from Josh Brownhill and Maxime Esteve were enough to keep the visitors firmly in the hunt for automatic promotion.
Burnley - who have only conceded 10 goals in 35 league matches - clung on to cut the gap to second-placed Sheffield United to just two points.
Riza added: “Will Fish will score that late chance nine times out of 10. Yousef Salech hit the post and crossbar, we had our chances, but the bottom line is we didn’t pick up any points.
“But the second half was a lot more pleasing. I thought we were worth a point, but we left ourselves too much to do.”
READ MORE: Yousef Salech Strikes For Cardiff City As Omer Riza Praises Their Defiance
Burnley had looked comfortable, rather than threatening, in the opening quarter but gave the appearance of a team who knew they could press the throttle any time they cared to.
A speculative effort in the opening minute from Jaidon Anthony had been their only effort on goal, whilst Cardiff had managed something similar when Perry Ny tried to catch Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford off his line.
But midway through the half, the visitors rained the temp slightly and went ahead through Brownhill.
Hannibal Mejbri showed impressive pace down the left and his clipped cross was expertly side-footed home by Burnley’s leading scorer for his 11th goal of the season, although it did take a slight deflection off Ng.
Cardiff - who, like Burnley, had gone out of the FA Cup last weekend - probed for openings within the tightest defence in the Championship and very nearly levelled on the half hour.
A cross from Callum O’Dowda was met at full stretch by Yousef Salech, but the striker’s effort rebounded off the post.
Burnley’s response was to attack with more purpose and after Zian Flemming and Mejbri had missed chances, Esteve made it 2-0.
Fleming this time had the assist, heading Anthony’s cross back across goal whilst a static Cardiff defence simply observed Esteve help himself to the close range finish.
Cardiff, though, managed what no team had done in 1,132 minutes of Championship football when they scored just before the break.
O’Dowda’ perseverance enabled Joel Bagan to cross for Slech to head home.
READ MORE: Omer Riza Tells Cardiff City To Prove Their Progress Against Burnley
Burnley regained control at the start of the second half, but Marcus Edwards, Brownhill and Josh Cullen were all unable to make the most of opportunities to stretch their lead.
They also had a convincing penalty appeal turned down after a clear late tackle by Calum Chambers had upended Brownhill.
Rixa was full of praise for Salech, his £3m January signing, but admitted others at the club were unconvinced when he urged his purchase.
"Put it this way, when I wanted to sign him, the message was, 'This is on you. Is he at the level to step up to the Championship? Is he going to be able to do this? Or do that?'
"I said, 'Look, I'm telling you what he's going to do' and so far, touch wood, he is doing that. I always say, live by the sword, die by the sword, let's hope it continues. I don't want to put too much pressure on him. We've got other players like Robbo up there who can score goals, that's their job.
"He was good today, Yousef, he was strong, won his headers and first and second balls, he tried to bring the ball in. He created opportunities and scored an opportunity. I'm really happy with him.
Further clarifying the board reaction to him wanting Salech, he added: "That was from the board, which is fine. Sometimes it's 'Are you sure about this player?'
"That's fine. I think it was a tongue in cheek comment - I hope it wasn't a serious threat! But it was on me. I made a decision and stuck by it. He's doing well and I'm pleased for him.
"I had the confidence he would do well. Players take time to settle, but other than the first couple of days when he looked a bit nervy coming into the group, he takes things in his stride.
"I keep saying, he is honest, hard working, hungry, wants to get better, engaged, he's scored five now and could have had a hat-trick today! He is doing excellent and working hard."
READ MORE: Omer Riza Tells Cardiff City Players To Hold Heads High, Despite FA Cup Defeat
Parker said: “I’m pleased with the three points.
“This is a tough place to come and the table is probably a misrepresentation of where Cardiff are. They are a good side.
“We gave them a bit of hope with the goal. It was a little bit sloppy and uncharacteristic from us. We were proud of the record but the main thing was to keep winning and we have done that.
“We started the second half well and should have put daylight between us. At the end you need resilience and the ability to dig in and we had that.
“I thought the energy was impressive. We looked like a proper team who understood their roles.
“We gave them a bit of hope with the goal. It was a little bit sloppy and uncharacteristic from us. We were proud of the record but the main thing was to keep winning and we have done that.
“It’s a shame we conceded tonight but I’m more pleased that we won.
“It was massive to win - at times now you have to grind and dig in and get the results. There are 11 games to go and this was another one to cross off.”
