Neil Critchley bemoaned the lack of a killer touch after Hearts were beaten 2-0 at home by Heidenheim.
Dominant for a fabulous first 45 minutes, the home side passed up major chances to take the lead through captain Lawrence Shankland and Frankie Kent.
Sirlord Conteh and substitute Jan Schoppner struck with second-half headers to stun Tynecastle and nick a Europa Conference League win.
Home fans in a raucous 17,692 crowd applauded Critchley’s men off the park in appreciation of their efforts against the Bundesliga side.
Critchley said: ‘The one thing to take away is to score when you are on top.
‘You have to take those chances. We weren’t clinical in front of goal and were punished by two moments of quality.
Critchley believes his Hearts team deserved more from their Europa Conference League match
Lawrence Shankland was frustrated after a game in which his missed chance proved costly
Jan Schoppner scores with a second-half header to put Heidenheim two up at Tynecastle
‘Their first goal in particular was excellent. It was quality, counter-attacking play and nothing to do with them gaining control of the game.
‘I am disappointed by the result but not by the performance. I felt we played just as well as we did against Omonia Nicosia when we won.
‘If we had taken our chances, it was there for us to win. We went toe-to-toe with a really good team in a very competitive game in a great atmosphere.
‘The attitude and mentality was good. We went right to the end.
‘We deserved more from the game but sometimes you don’t get what you deserve. Unfortunately, we came out the wrong side.’
Although Hearts dropped six places to 12th in the table, the three teams they now face — Cercle Brugge, Copenhagen and Petrocub — are all below them.
Heidenheim are one of half a dozen outfits in the 36-team standings boasting a perfect record from their three matches.
Critchley urged his players, who face Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday, not to be despondent with the outcome.
‘Winning would’ve helped our cause, of course,’ said Critchley. ‘But if we keep producing that level of performance, we will win football games.
‘It’s a test for us to keep showing that attitude and that ability on the ball because we had some really good moments. The one thing missing was that final bit. The players are down but I don’t want them to feel downhearted. For long periods we were the better team.’
