Monday 27 February 2017 10:02, UK
Rafael Benitez believes it was a case of two points dropped despite watching Newcastle recover from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw with lowly Bristol City in the Sky Bet Championship.
Ciaran Clark's 82nd-minute header earned a vital point in the race for promotion after the Robins had gone in at half-time with a shock 2-0 lead.
Goals from Aaron Wilbraham and David Cotterill gave the visitors the upper hand, but Korey Smith's own goal gave the hosts a lifeline - and they could even have won it in the end.
Newcastle face a defining week in their quest for promotion, with trips to Brighton, Huddersfield and Reading up next, but rather than celebrating a point gained after a terrible start, Benitez rued a spate of late missed chances.
"For me it is two points lost," the Spaniard said. "We didn't start well, we made mistakes and gave them hope they could get a result, but the reaction in the second half was very good.
"I'm pleased with that because that's what we have to do.
"With the chances we had I think we could have scored again and won the game.
"We have a lot of games to play. My concern is that we made some mistakes that we can't afford to make in the future. We showed character in the second half, but we have to stay calm.
"If we play with the high tempo like we did in the second half we will win games. The fans realise that this is not an easy mission and they know they have to support the players.
"The reaction was great and the fans pushed that."
Benitez is hopeful top goalscorer Dwight Gayle will feature in the next three games despite the fact he limped off during Monday's win over Aston Villa.
"I watched him train this morning so we will see how he feels, but he will have a chance against Brighton, we will see," he said.
