Nicky Robinson admits Cardiff Blues must learn the painful lessons of a Guinness PRO12 Welsh derby defeat to the Scarlets.
The Blues had plenty of opportunities to triumph in the error-strewn encounter at Parc y Scarlets but trailed 15-3 following home tries for Steff Evans and Scott Williams.
A score from Willis Halaholo threatened a comeback and there were further chances but the Blues were unable to get over the line as they lost 15-10.
Robinson, who joined the region last month as injury cover, came on during the closing stages and admits it was a frustrating game to watch and then play in.
He said: “When it’s so close and we created so many opportunities like today, we’re a little bit frustrated.
“Defences were strong from both sides but even at half-time when we went in, we had created five line breaks and hadn’t capitalized on any of them.
“In the second-half there were chances but there’s little things in games we’re just not turning into tries and we need to learn those lessons.
“It hurts at the moment but we have to keep learning and moving forward because there’s a huge amount of positives.”
The Blues travel to face Glasgow Warriors next with the Scottish side now fifth and nine points above Danny Wilson’s men.
Wilson had targeted a top six PRO12 finish at the beginning of the campaign and he has made no secret that the Blues need to start turning slender defeats into wins if they are to achieve that.
Robinson added: “The target is top six and hopefully we can push for the top four but at the moment we’re a bit off that.
“We know we have to improve, the league doesn’t lie. We put some good performances in but haven’t got the results, which maybe we don’t deserve, but we just have to keep plugging away and hopefully the little things we learn can make a difference.”