Wales winger Gareth Thomas pleads with the referee

Referee Steve Lander was playing advantage deep in injury time after Ireland wing Justin Bishop had deliberately knocked the ball on to disrupt a Wales attack.

Wales fly-half Stephen Jones had a drop-goal charged down soon afterwards, but Lander decided not to award a scrum for the earlier infringement.

"We didn't get much advantage out of it, did we?" Hansen told BBC Sport minutes after the 24-25 defeat at the Millennium Stadium.

We just didn't get the break we needed Wales coach Steve Hansen

"The referee decided the advantage was over. That's his decision and we've just got to take it on the chin.

"I'm very happy with the players. You're going to get decisions sometimes that go against you. That's just one of those things.

"There's no point crying over split milk."

Match report: Wales 24-25 Ireland

Despite suffering their fourth successive defeat in this season's championship, Hansen was satisfied with his side's performance.

A drop-goal from Stephen Jones had given Wales a two-point lead in the second minute of injury.

But Ireland replacement fly-half Ronan O'Gara replied in kind a minute later to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and keep their Grand Slam dreams alive.

Said Hansen: "We just had to keep our composure and use every minute well. Unfortunately we just didn't get the break we needed.

"Ireland finished on top so far as the final result goes, but I think the boys have done themselves proud today."

Wales captain Jonathan Humphreys said there was a mixture of immense disappointment and pride among the players.

I firmly believe this is a very talented side Wales captain Jonathan Humphreys

"We wanted to perform to the to top of our ability, and for large periods of the match, the side performed exceptionally well.

"Obviously the purpose of playing is to win, so we're disappointed with that."

Humphreys left the field in the second half after suffering a recurrence of the shoulder injury which kept him out of the Scotland match a fortnight ago.

He said he was confident of recovering in time for next Saturday's encounter with France.

Wales need a victory in Paris if they are not to finish the championship winless and with the wooden spoon.

Humphreys insisted it is just a matter of time before results, and the luck, turn in their favour.

"I firmly believe this is a very talented side," he added.

"It's a young side and every other nation in the Six Nations would love to have the talent Wales have got at the moment."