Poor penalty decision cost us - Johnson

Penalty decision

“It’s tough to take because it’s human error (the decision). There’s no doubt we weren’t absolutely cosmic today but we were resolute and we did defend extremely well. To be done by a third party on the day is really disappointing and hard to take, particularly when it makes it the third loss on the spin.”

Clean sheet aim

City had kept Wednesday at bay until the penalty and Johnson added: “I feel for the lads because it was clear from the team we picked that we were coming for a clean sheet and we should have earned it. We needed to show a bit more quality. Two or three individuals didn’t quite have their best moments or best games and didn’t look as confident as maybe they could be.

“It didn’t feel as if we were threatened in the central part of goal. For the defeat to come from one straight ball and a poor decision is disappointing to say the least. Yes we had a couple of chances and its the type of day where you could see a smash and grab coming and you can come away with a 1-0 win yourself but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.”

Competitive league

“We’ve got good players and it won’t stop the belief. We’d have gone joint third today with a win. It is a tough and tight league but we don’t want to keep missing opportunities.

“There were patches where we got into some great areas and, on this occasion, coming away with a point, eventhough we always want to win, would have been alright.

“There were a couple of individuals that didn’t look the level today – and they are at the level – and that is a little bit frustrating because I do believe in them.”

City support

“I thought our crowd was excellent. I know it’s really tough to spend the sort of money it takes to get to Sheffield. They stuck with the boys and kept encouraging them.”