Perplexed Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was in no mood to talk after his side's 24-20 loss to the Penrith Panthers in Bathurst on Saturday.
Two late tries from the Panthers left the Raiders stunned after they had led by eight points with three minutes remaining on the clock.
The Raiders had the chance to seal victory a minute earlier when winger Nick Cotric spilled the ball in the in-goal area attempting to go over for his third try.
In one of the shortest post-match press conferences of the season, Stuart gave little away on his thoughts about the game, and in particular the final three minutes.
"I don't think either side gave in until the end, they just came back with some good football and got us," Stuart said post-game.
Asked where the Raiders go to from here after another heartbreaking defeat, Stuart wasn't keen to elaborate.
"Jump on the bus and go home, that's what we'll do," he responded.
"It was there to be won with four minutes to go and it doesn't matter now because we had an opportunity to win and we didn't.
"We'll bounce back, there is no lack of effort and there never is all year – we just need to get better."
Raiders skipper Jarrod Croker was equally as deflated with the result but was confident the tide would turn.
"It's disappointing, the effort is there every single game but two little plays at the end proved costly," Croker said.
"There's no reason why we cant [turn things around] but obviously the boys are very disheartened."
In no surprise, there was much more talk in the Panthers' press conference after the match and skipper Matt Moylan offered his opinion about the opposition.
"[Canberra have] got the strike power there and are in contention for sure," Moylan said.
"They're a quality side and definitely not out of it."
The Raiders face a tough period over the next six weeks with clashes against the Broncos, Cowboys, Dragons and Storm in between two bye weeks, however are boosted by the fact all four matches are scheduled at GIO Stadium.
