Newport County chief Christian Fuchs felt his battlers deserved so much more than an odd goal in three defeat to the League Two leaders Bromley in their Hayes Lane nest.
The score line will show that the Exiles substitute Nathan Opoku's late score was only a consolation to a crazy own goal from Courtney Baker-Richardson and a strike from Ravens' substitute Nicke Karamba - but never, surely, has a score line been so misleading.
Yes, the Ravens threatened from set plays. They are, indeed, the second most successful team in the Football League to score from corners and free-kick.
Even if Bromley had height advantage through the likes of towering centre-back Omar Sowunmi & Co, all that was aesthetically attractive came from Port's sublime soccer.
Newport might be second from bottom and now two points from safety, Bromley's sixth successive win strengthening their position at the League Two summit, but the finest performances on the day came from County's outstanding Michael Spellman, Ciaran Brennan, winger Bobby Kamwa and skipper James Clarke who. at 36, reigned supreme in defence.
Fuchs had seen enough and insisted, "We were the better side out there. How many teams do you see like ours in League Two that play the style of football we do?
"I thought we were the better side in many respects. Obviously Bromley are effective with the style they play, but I love our style and the way we try and play.
"The boys fought so hard out there - for those second balls. The Bromley crowd were very relieved to hear the final whistle. We worried Bromley, no question about it.
"I have just come out of our dressing room. The boys are despondent in there because they felt we really deserved something from this game, as I did."
Tranmere visit Rodney Parade this Sunday and Fuchs is targeting three points to propel County off the section trap door - should other results go in their favour.
He said, "We've beaten Crewe at our place to finish the long wait for a home league win a few days ago. Really looking forward to the Tranmere match when the Newport supporters, our 12th man, can get right behind us, driving us forward.
"In CBR [Courtney Baker-Richardson and Nathan Opoku we have two very different striker styles. of course. Courtney is physical while Nathan tend to be looking for those chinks in opponent's defence."
Fuchs could announce one new signing early next week and is expecting to add two or three more in the January window.
The Exiles might even still be hoping to bring back terrific central linkman Sammy Braybrooke from Leicester on loan.
When asked about the 21-year-old blonde schemer, whose initial agreement with County ran out at midnight New Year's Eve, Fuchs said, "Discussions are still happening. He hasn't gone anywhere yet has he?"
