Manager Michael Flynn says Newport County AFC were way below the level expected after falling to a 1-0 defeat against Southend United on Tuesday evening.
Tom Clifford's free-kick 16 minutes from time earned the away side a shock victory at Rodney Parade and condemned County to their second defeat of the campaign on home soil.
County had opportunities to draw level in the dying embers against the Shrimpers but failed to take advantage of them, ensuring they missed the opportunity to move up to second in the Sky Bet League Two table.
And Flynn says his side were not up to the standards that they have set in their hunt for promotion this season.
"It was a poor game, neither side created much at all," said Flynn.
"It was a poor goal to give away then we missed three sitters. It wasn’t anywhere near what I expect or want from them. We weren’t very good but probably still should have won that game.
"We didn’t, we’ve missed a massive opportunity to go second in the league, it wasn’t a very good performance but we still should have won that game."
The Exiles were limited to few chances on goal as both teams struggled on the Rodney Parade surface, with Flynn's men managing one attempt on target which was kept out by goalkeeper Mark Oxley late on.
The result leaves County fifth in the league table ahead of the trip to Vale Park on Saturday afternoon.
"It’s really frustrating because the boys had a chance to go second in the table and didn’t take it," added Flynn
"It’s a missed opportunity and a bad result, let’s not dress it up. I am sure many people will be writing us off, but we’ll make sure we are there or thereabouts at the end of the season.
"We now need to turn up at Port Vale and start playing how we know we can play, and how we have shown we can play."