Graham Rowntree cut a frustrated figure after his Munster side lost 32-24 at Exeter Chiefs on Sunday afternoon.
For the second week in a row, Munster gave up a commanding second half lead, conceding three tries in the last 18 minutes to hand victory to the English side. The defeat came after a 17-17 draw at home to Bayonne last weekend.
A four-try haul in defeat meant that Munster went home with a bonus point on Sunday but that was of no consolation to Rowntree when he spoke to RTÉ Sport after the game.
"Frustration is the word," lamented the Munster head coach. "To do so many good things, to come here and get a bonus point and then to lose control in the last quarter. What can I say? I'm gutted.
"We couldn't wrestle control back from them in key moments. Look at how many times we got 30 metres from their goal-line in the second half, it wasn't enough. They kicked a lot more in the second half. Big moments got away from us, particularly their third try, which is just freakish."
The nature of the final Exeter try particularly annoyed Rowntree, after Conor Murray's pass was intercepted by Henry Slade.
Despite the disappointment, Rowntree sees an opportunity to bounce back when Munster host Leinster in the United Rugby Championship on St Stephen's Day.
"The last try, strange movements around the ruck and the offside line. Conor gets intercepted but that's what it is. We just look at our control in the last quarter of the game.
"When my teams come here and get a bonus point for scoring four tries and still to lose the game, it's difficult. I'm trying to calm a dressing room down, who are all as frustrated. We've got Leinster on Stephen's Day so there's always another huge challenge around the corner.
"We have an opportunity to get back on the horse against our old rivals. We have to see what injuries we've got and what availability we have. The lads will be frustrated and determined from that performance, in equal measure."
Munster are now second-from-bottom in Pool C of the European Champions Cup, with a trip to basement side Toulon being their next outing in the competition.
Chances of progression seem remote for now but Rowntree isn't prepared to give up hope, and he is keen to share this message with his players.
"It (European rugby) means so much to everyone. We're not out until we're out. We'll keep fighting in every game. The format for this is such that you're in it until the last minute of the last game and that's the way the lads will be looking at it.
"We go to Toulon in a few weeks time, gunning for them. We've got Northampton the week after, we'll be gunning for them. Nothing changes in that regard.
"If we weren't scoring tries and doing good things, I would say it's not happening for us but we are. Our depth is being tested as it was last year. We'll keep driving forward, we're blooding new men all the time and getting valuable experience. We have to keep getting better."
