Leeds United manager Gary McAllister said there were "no excuses" as they lost 3-1 at Millwall on Saturday.
The Scot told BBC Radio Leeds: "I'm not going to try and kid anyone - they deserved the win.
"It was very competitive across the middle of the park and in the scruffy parts of the game I thought Millwall were winners.
"There's no excuses - there's a lot of hard work to be done, certainly when we don't have the ball."
Luciano Becchio put Leeds in front before Millwall fought back, and McAllister was especially concerned with his side's defensive lapses.
"I'm concerned that we've lost three goals - the manner in which we lost the goals was very similar to the type of goals we lost at Rotherham recently.
"I just think they were poor goals defensively. I don't think we can blame the goalkeeper - I just think there's a bit more responsibility needed to be taken in and around the back four.
"It was difficult to get the ball down and play.
Our home form is going to be imperative so we're looking for maximum points in our next two home games
Leeds boss Gary McAllister
"Millwall were fierce, their closing down was fantastic and in the end they're worthy winners."
Leeds have a quick chance to make amends when they host Leyton Orient on Tuesday, and McAllister is looking for a reaction from his side.
"We've got two home games on the bounce now and there's not a great deal of time to feel sorry for ourselves.
"Our away form hasn't been bad - in fact it's been pretty good - but over the piece our home form is going to be imperative and we've got to get that right, so we're looking for maximum points in our next two home games."
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