He watched his team lose for the first time in 16 matches but Graham Arnold was still upbeat after Central Coast Mariners were beaten 2-0 by Brisbane Roar at Gosford on Saturday night.
First half goals to Erik Paartalu and Besart Berisha fired the third-placed Roar to an impressive victory at Bluetongue Stadium.
It was the first time the Mariners have tasted defeat since round three.
But Arnold was positive after the match.
"I was happy with our reaction in the second half," he said.
"We had at least as many chances as them and got off to an average start."
Arnold said the postponement of last week's clash with Gold Coast hurt his side, especially in the second half.
"That broke our momentum," he said.
"It was our first game in 14 days, that had a say in the result. ‘'
"But we've put ourselves in a fantastic position. You've got to lose some time."
Brisbane coach Ange Postecoglou was delighted with the effort of his players, especially the way they hit back with such a spirited display after last week's disappointing home defeat against Newcastle.
"Overall I'm pleased, we stuck to our style of football," the Brisbane coach said.
"There's a long way to go and I still think they're the best team in the competition."
Postecoglou showed rare emotion on the sideline after Berisha scored the second goal just before half-time.
"That goal was what we are about as a football club," he said.
"Sometimes how we play costs us, it's not risk free. But it was a good goal, that's why I was so happy with it."
Brisbane will now be in a confident mood heading into next week's away clash with second-placed Wellington.
"They've got momentum, we're looking forward to that," he said.