Neil Kilkenny admitted it was a tough blow to cop as Preston North End were beaten in the League One playoff promotion semi-finals on Thursday night.
The Lilywhites had drawn 1-1 with Rotherham United in the first leg at Deepdale last weekend and things were looking up for the Lancashire club when Paul Gallagher scored in the 16th minute of the return bout.
However, Rotherham scored twice in ten minutes through Wes Thomas and Lee Frecklington before Kieran Agard wrapped up the tie with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Preston's hopes of moving through to the promotion final at Wembley were dashed by the Millers and it was certainly hard to take for Australian midfielder Kilkenny.
"We went 1-0 up and we were obviously happy and then we let it slip but at the same time it was a game of inches really," Kilkenny told pnefc.net.
"Obviously very disappointed, I think it was inches or centimetres, sometimes you have luck and sometimes you don't.
"They've had two goals which have hit the post and gone in and we've hit the post and seen it roll across the line to the goalkeeper.
"In these games you need a bit of luck at the same time and I think that's what happened today."
The loss to Preston allows World Cup bolter Bailey Wright to head back to Australia to link up with the Socceroos squad which has assembled in Gosford today under manager Ange Postecoglou.
