Matt Smith was pleased to score his first Fulham goal since August but knew it counted for nothing as the Whites were beaten 3-1 by a Henri Lansbury inspired Nottingham Forest.
The Forest forward set up Robert Tesche for the opener and then scored from the spot before rounding off a fine team move, after Smith had pulled one back to seal the win.
Brentford's win at MK Dons, though, ensured that Fulham avoided relegation to the third tier for the second successive season.
“It counted for nothing in the end but any striker would tell you that they'd like to get on the scoresheet but I'd have liked it in different circumstances,” Smith said.
“Safety is the first and foremost priority. It's a case of taking stock in the summer now and moving forward to get the club back to where it belongs.
“I think we need to appreciate the Championship is different to the Premier League and it takes a different type of quality. It's a case of grouping together and getting out of this rut.”
Fulham felt they could have had two penalties after close calls on the edge of the box but didn't get the rub of the green.
Smith added: “You can say we didn't have the rub of the green but ultimately we didn't give ourselves much of a platform.
“Set pieces are our achilles heel. We've conceded above and beyond of what's been expected of teams.
“You don't give yourselves a chance if you concede goals that easily. 2-0 down at half time doesn't give you a chance.
“From 45 to 70 we battled well and the goal was a sucker punch and against the run of play which killed the game.”
