Brentford manager Uwe Rosler was distraught but also defiant after his team missed out on automatic promotion in incredible circumstances.
Needing a win to snatch second place from Doncaster, they were awarded a penalty deep into injury time.
But they were left heartbroken when Marcello Trotta fired against the underside of the bar following a dispute among Brentford’s players over who should take the spot-kick.
James Coppinger then scored to seal Rovers’ promotion as champions and Brentford must now pick themselves up for a play-off semi-final clash with Swindon.
It was a diabolical way to miss out on the top two – and potentially an acrimonious one, given that on-loan Fulham man Trotta had insisted on taking the penalty, with club captain Kevin O’Connor appearing to be brushed aside.
Rosler confirmed that Trotta was not his choice to take the kick and the Bees boss was clearly unhappy about the squabble among his players.
But he refused to publicly criticise the striker, whose miss left Griffin Park stunned.
Rosler said: “I think we as a group have to deal with that situation and keep cool.
“We don’t hang anybody out here. We will deal with that internally and make everyone responsible for that.
“I thought we would score, but when I saw what happened [players arguing] I wasn’t 100% sure,” he admitted.
The German added: “Everyone in our camp needs a good sleep and a beer and we will be ready to go again.
“Also myself I need a day to pick myself up. Then me and my staff will be ready to go again from tomorrow.
“It’s important we pick ourselves up and believe. We’ve worked very hard all year and must not let that possibility [of promotion] go.”
Brentford dominated much of the game but endured a frustrating afternoon before being handed a golden chance to secure Championship football when Toumani Diagouraga was bundled over in the box.
Bradley Wright-Phillips was denied by the woodwork early on but the home side then struggled to create chances.
Rosler said: “We were very erratic and far too direct – we played into their hands. We didn’t create as many chances as I would have wished.
“We looked a bit nervy. We played very much with our hearts and maybe not with our heads.”
Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook