Ryan Lowe felt his side conceded “poor” goals in the 3-0 defeat to Leicester City.
In the final home game of the season, Preston North End were beaten by the Foxes, who were crowned league champions with the victory.
Jamie Vardy scored either side of half-time and Kasey McAteer’s 67th-minute header then sealed the win at Deepdale.
Ryan said: “I think the goals we conceded were poor from us. There’s opportunities to stop that, especially the first one on the counter.
“The second one where he’s drove through, hit the post and ricocheted out, and then the third one to leave a man unmarked in the box, that’s disappointing.
“For all their good players and winning the Championship, they didn’t have to work too hard for their goals. We had some moments. We got into the final third and came back.
“Listen, it’s one of them games that we knew it was going to be tough but we need to be at the races. We can’t just be half-hearted in anything we do.
“The lads try and the effort’s there. We lacked some quality and decision making in certain areas, that’s the frustrating and disappointing part.”
One positive from the night was first-year scholar Theo Mawene being handed his professional debut in the 86th minute.
The youngster, who was first named as a substitute at the beginning of the month against Watford, came on as a part of a triple substitution at Deepdale alongside his brother, Noah.
Ryan said: “We want to give these youngsters an opportunity and Theo’s deserved that. He’s a fantastic kid with a fantastic attitude.
“The quality of him is different class, him and his brother. They’ve been excellent.
“It’s a big bonus for Preston North End and the fans. They should be proud of that, and they should be and the family because hopefully that’s just one appearance of many.
“They’re two fantastic kids with fantastic talent and attributes in different ways, and we’re pleased to get them some minutes.”
Following the full-time whistle, the PNE players and management performed their annual lap of thanks to show their appreciation for the support of the fans throughout the 2023/24 campaign.
Ryan added: “Thanks to the fans who stayed out in the rain, I appreciate it. I want to make sure I give it my all. We’ve worked tirelessly hard, me and the staff and the players, so far this season.
“We’ve got a few more sessions and one more game to go and one last push. The away fans have been brilliant as well all season. We want to send them home happy.
“We’ll have a good recruitment in the summer and we’ll give it our best shot next season. We need to be a little bit better in certain departments. Individually and collectively we all need to be better.
“We’ve obviously got more points at home this season than we did last which is a bonus. I know it’s ended on a little bit of a disappointment at the minute but stick with the group.
“There’s some fantastic players in there and we’ll keep learning. We’ll keep building, and we’re looking into the future definitely.”
