Chester FC skipper Ian Sharps blamed a lack of quality in possession for the 1-0 defeat to Altrincham in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.
The 35-year-old insists the team are not lacking for effort and endeavour, but does accept the performance at Moss Lane fell short of the standard required.
Damian Reeves netted the decisive goal in a tight match to earn the Robins a place in the first round and the £12,500 prize pot.
Sharps understands and shares the frustration of supporters, however the centre-back doesn't believe there was much between the teams with a suspicion Reeves was offside when he stabbed home and Altrincham keeper Tim Deasy pulling off two important saves
READ: FA Cup failure at Altrincham leaves Steve Burr 'bitterly disappointed'
Sharps said: "I don't think our quality was there. I thought the effort and the commitment was there, and the will to win was there but sometimes you can't atone for the lack of quality.
"Our passing wasn't good enough and our decision making wasn't what it needed to be but you've got it half right if the effort and commitment is there and we only got beat 1-0.
"In our previous two games we managed to grind out a couple of wins without playing particularly well and I don't think there was that much difference in the performances.
"Football is about fine lines and if the offside is given for Altrincham's goal and the keeper doesn't get a hand to Ross Hannah's shot then that puts a completely different complexion on the game."
