Conor Hourihane said Barnsley’s loss at Luton was ‘our season in a nutshell’.
The Reds conceded early from a penalty then equalised through Adam Phillips but let in another late on from a corner.
Hourihane said: “If there's ever a game to sum up our season, it's that. We played really well, played through them, got into the final third countless times. It was a tight game in terms of scoreline and then they had to come out on the wrong side of it. So, overriding feeling is really frustrating.
“The lads played a team going for the play-offs and I don't think you could tell the difference in both teams. "We give away a couple of poor goals.
“The team were fantastic. Everyone to a man played their part.
“I'd like for us to be a bit more ruthless in the final third because the amount of times we got in there to only come away with one goal is disappointing.
“It was much-improved from Stevenage.”
He added: “We got into their final third, so many times, just that little bit of a killer instinct. And that's why the best players in the world get paid the most.
“If we go two or three before they obviously get that second, then I don't think anyone would be kind of complaining about it, really.”
Phillips has now reached double figures for goals in four straight seasons.
Hourihane said: “Phillo is a very good player for this level. He's been really, really good over the course of his time at the club.
“To get that many goals is invaluable. Credit to him.
“He'd probably say himself, he could have had even more over the course of the season, if we're being honest.”
Barnsley wanted a penalty for a foul on Phillips by Hakeem Odoffin at 1-1
“I've not really seen it back, to be honest.
“I think it was obviously a last-ditch moment for their defender to try and stop Phillo from tapping in the net. And look, if it's given, it's a penalty in a red card.
“We just don't seem to be getting decisions probably in the last couple of months.”
David McGoldrick returned from injury. Hourihane said: “Didzy obviously come back, got half an hour.
“Hopefully he's got through it and felt OK. And obviously he'll be heavily involved in the last two games.”
The winner came from poor marking off a corner.
“There's been too many like that, where you look at it and go, bit of a nothing goal, to be honest.
“How many times have we said that?”
Barnsley were well-backed by their fans. Hourihane said: “I thought they were outstanding. I thought, you know, full of voice, singing my name at the end there, big thanks to them and they were absolutely fantastic.
“Disappointing for them that they obviously not going away with a result. They'll know that the lads played well and we were well in the game. A real thanks to them.”
