Head Coach Danny Wilson told his Cardiff Blues to 'hold their heads up high and be proud' as they pushed Montpellier all the way before losing a dramatic European Rugby Challenge Cup encounter in the South of France.
Cardiff Blues led going into stoppage time at the Altrad Stadium after a stunning defensive show against the Top 14 big hitters.
A cruel ending saw Montpellier score an injury time try and snatch victory with the final kick in what Wilson admitted had been a ‘devastating’ finale.
However, he was keen to focus on the many positives from an impressive display in the cup.
“We’re not going to hide away from the fact that for long periods of that game we were under huge pressure, but credit to the boys. What a defensive display from us,” he said.
“It’s an area of the game we have targeted and tried to work really hard on. What showed what we are capable of today against wave after wave of pressure.
“For us to be in a position to win that game and six points clear was fantastic credit to the players, so to lose it to the last play and the last kick was is devastating.
“I’ve told the boys to hold their heads up high and be proud of that performance and use it as a catalyst. In many ways that performance was better than the two wins we have just had.
“To come here and do that in front of a such a hostile crowd was something that Cardiff Blues have got to build on and use as a platform for the future.
“I’m proud of my players and hopefully we can use it to kick on now into two huge derby games over Christmas.
“Credit goes to the players and the coaches – Graham Steadman and Richard Hodges – because of the amount of work we have done on defence. We are starting to show what we are capable of against a powerful Montpellier team; we defended better today than last week.”