Queens Park Rangers defender James Perch was happy with his own performance on Friday night against Brighton and Hove Albion, but was left to rue the Hoops' sudden collapse in the second half.
After a goalless first half, Brighton raced into a 2-0 lead in the second period, through Glenn Murray and a wonder free-kick from Sebastien Pocognoli.
And Perch admitted the visitors have managed to work out how to grind out results after a consistent season at the top end of the Championship.
"It's what they've done all season. If they haven't dominated teams, they've dug in and ground out a result like they did (on Friday night)," he told Get West London.
"I think they knew they were in for a tough game against us, but they're up there for a reason, able to dig out results.
"Even though we played quite well and had chances, they managed to get the victory."
QPR's defence was so high up for the opening goal, that the central defence were split apart with ease as Murray and Tomer Hemed played a quick one-two, before the former raced through to slot past Alex Smithies.
And Perch knew there was only one outcome from the ex-Crystal Palace ace.
"It was a great finish from Murray and he's done that for the whole of his career," said the right-back.
"We'll have a look back it, but at the time I didn't know the size of the gap.
"If you give someone like Murray a chance though, he's going to finish it. He's been top class for Brighton."
On his own game, Perch was a standout figure down the right, getting forward well and also managing to get some crosses in.
He even nearly got on the scoresheet himself at the end of the first half, finding himself close to goal but having a shot blocked.
"I thought I did OK. We were playing a formation where I became the wide man, I had the whole side of the pitch to myself so I had to get up and down," said Perch.
"I got crosses in and I was happy on a personal level with my performance but it would have been much better if we had got the three points to go into next weekend."
