It was a disappointed coach Rick Stone, who was joined by Chris Houston at the post match press conference after skipper Kurt Gidley suffered a head knock that ruled him out of the second half.
After returning to the winner’s list last weekend, the Knights were defeated 31-18 by the Brisbane Broncos after leading 18-6 just before half time.
A try either side of half time however cruelled the men in red and blue, as well as a scoreless second half.
“We probably gifted the second half start to them with the momentum and they took advantage of it, and pretty much kept the foot on the throat the rest of the half,” the coach said after the match.
"We didn't really get a lot of chances down the opposition's end after the start of the second half - not a good kick, missed tackle off the kick-off and they go 100 metres and score a try.
"In the NRL, you've got to compete hard but you've got to concentrate and you've got to execute, and our concentration coming out of half-time wasn't to NRL standard."
Houston agreed with the coach's assessment of the second half lapse.
"It was a killer there going in to the break only a try behind... like Stoney said a bit of concentration and the penalty I gave away... we just killed ourselves in that second half," Houston said.
While not looking for an excuse, the unavailability of a number of players including NSW Origin Blue Beau Scott, Jeremy Smith and Jarrod Mullen, as well as losing Kurt Gidley at half time, caused the home side defensive issues.
Brisbane found particular success on their left edge, with Stone admitting Akuila Uate and Sione Mata’utia will need to work together to tidy that area of their game up.
"I think we tried to solve things a little bit on our own tonight rather than together, on the edges, on both edges, but more so on the right," Stone added.
"Aku's positioning was a little bit untidy a few times and the Broncos took advantage of that. That's not NRL-standard defence on the edge, for us, and I think those pair know that.
"Obviously not having Kurt there in the second half didn't help either.
“It was tough, and we had some excuses, but Sione and Aku need to do better there."
The Knights now need to regroup as they get ready to travel to New Zealand on Friday for Sunday’s Round 12 match against the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium.
“There is no doubt we have gone another step backwards this week, and we've got a decent challenge going to New Zealand," Stone said.
"First things first is get our injuries sorted out, see who's fit and healthy, then regroup ourselves and get a side over to New Zealand to compete."
Gidley was reported to be okay by the conclusion of the match following a head knock. A further injury update will be available on Tuesday following the team medical.
