Head Coach Danny Wilson was left to rue a catalogue of missed opportunities as Cardiff Blues lost out 13-7 to Benetton Treviso in the Guinness PRO12 clash at Stadio Monigo.
American international Blaine Scully scored his second try for the region as Wilson’s men took a slender lead into the interval.
But a second half penalty try from the hosts saw them take the lead and then hang in adversity on as Cardiff Blues squandered a number of clear cut chances.
And boss Wilson admitted it was a missed opportunity to climb the league table as, despite controlling possession and territory in a dominant final 20 minutes, the try would simple not come.
“I don’t know how many opportunities we have created in the final 20 minutes and failed to capitalise on,” admitted Wilson.
“The game had worked itself to where we thought it would be with the young team we had out; with 20 minutes to go we thought our fitness would show and it did.
“We’ve lost lineout ball from five -metres out, which is unacceptable from us, and had a scrum that is going forward and we can’t control the ball at the base.
“We also had many opportunities in general phase play to score, we were over the line three or four times and yet we can’t get over.
“Credit to Treviso for the way they defended, you could tell they were desperate for that win.
“It’s certainly an experience again for our young group of players, without our internationals at the moment, and they will grow from it.
“It definitely wasn’t through a lack of effort. The boys put a huge effort in. But unfortunately our poor execution has led to us coming up short and that is very frustrating.”