Nottingham Forest interim boss Gary Brazil has admitted that his side are unlikely to challenge for the playoffs following their 5-2 defeat to Queens Park Rangers.
The Reds made a strong start to the season, but their promotion aspirations look all but dead after a 12th game without victory.
"I didn't see the last few minutes going like that," Brazil told reporters. "At 2-2 and with 15 minutes to go, I thought we looked the side more likely to get the third goal. To lose those goals right at the end is bitter for everyone.
"We had the opportunity to go on and win the game and we didn't take it. In the end, the score makes it look like we got a doing, but it wasn't like that.
"That makes the playoffs very hard now. It's not impossible and we have to believe we can win our last four games, but that was not the result we wanted. It makes it a long shot now."
Stuart Pearce will join Forest as their new manager at the end of the season.
Mark Langshaw
