Michael O'Neill felt Blackburn Rovers should've had a penalty against Portsmouth but wants more belief from his side despite salvaging a late point against Portsmouth.
In a poor game which neither team did enough to win, the visitors looked to have won it late through Connor Ogilvie. That was the first on target in the match on the 84th minute.
Hayden Carter's 93rd-minute equaliser rescued a draw but the big talking point came on the hour-mark when Terry Devlin bundled into Yuki Ohashi in the penalty area. The referee gave nothing despite it appearing to be a penalty kick.
"The ball's come across, there's no contact on the ball from Terry and he just collides into the back of Yuki," O'Neill told Sky Sports.
"You can't really play an advantage in that situation. I don't think he did do that. The referee had a clear view of the incident and he didn't give the penalty.
"But there was no contact on the ball from the Portsmouth player. So yeah, we're disappointed in that at obviously a crucial time in the game as well."
Rovers were poor for large portions but Portsmouth didn't create many chances either. Though few would have been happy with the performance and a draw before kick-off, O'Neill was pleased his side went until the end to earn a crucial point.
"Having lost a goal at the stage we did and so late in the game as well to show the spirit we showed to take something from the game is a real positive," he said.
"I think when we look back at the game, there are areas where we obviously need to improve. I felt we can be better with the ball at times, a little bit of tension in our play.
"But also we had the better chances in the game already. In the game I felt we created two or three really good chances that we didn't take."
Carter's second in as many games prevented a third successive loss for Rovers. They remain very much in the battle to avoid relegation but fans will be concerned by a lack of urgency in their play during the match.
O'Neill felt there was some nerves in their display and believes the squad is capable of much more.
"They're a good group of lads. Their application's been really good," he insisted.
"I think we are probably at a stage of the season where we're maybe a little bit finding it difficult to play. As well as that, I believe there's more ability maybe in the group in terms of what we show with the ball at times. So we have to try and address that.
"It's difficult in these games. There's a lot at stake and it's a key time in the season. But having gone behind, it's a good point for us.
"There are areas of our game where we're disappointed. They need more belief, because they're better players and at times it's what we showed today with the ball.
"That's something that we have to get through. Then we have a game Wednesday against a team that's in the same area as us. We have to show that and we have to show a little bit more belief with the ball on Wednesday."
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