Stuart Maynard felt Notts County had “missed a big opportunity” after needing a late goal to secure a 2-2 draw at Fleetwood.
The promotion-chasing Magpies failed to keep up the pace in the League Two automatic-promotion race as the gap extended to three points.
George Abbott put the visitors ahead, but Ryan Graydon scored twice in two second-half minutes, one from the penalty spot, to fire the Cod Army 2-1 ahead.
County needed Alassana Jatta’s 19th goal of the season in the 90th minute to earn a point at Highbury.
Maynard said: “This is probably one of my biggest frustrations this season. It’s a massive two points dropped. We’ve missed a big opportunity.
“We come here and look at the pitch and the pitch is terrible.
“From minute one all the way to the end we were excellent. We created enough chances to probably win two games of football and then we have a mad two minutes where we concede two goals. It’s just so frustrating.
“We’re not a management team that makes excuses about pitches or injuries or anything like that. I say it exactly as I see it.
“We dominated from minute one. We created so many big, big chances. Realistically this game should have been out of sight.
“We have to be focused whether we play 90, 95 or 100 minutes. We have to be focused as a group because this is what this league can do to you.”
Fleetwood boss Pete Wild was proud of his side’s endeavour against one of the league’s standout teams.
He said: “It’s certainly a point gained. Notts County are one of the outstanding sides in the league.
“We had a plan to contain them and I’m really pleased with how we did that.
“They’ve had three or four good opportunities which we’ve saved or blocked on the line. Our lads’ work-rate and endeavour was incredible.
“If you put all that into a melting pot then it’s certainly a point gained against what I class as one of the best teams in the league.
“When emotions are high you can go away from the context of the game because they’ve scored so late.
“Ultimately, their two goals have come from our mistakes. They haven’t broken us down.
“I was pleased with how our players stuck to the plan. We weren’t getting a glove on them in the first half and they changed it.
“We gave it our all and got our goals. They got one over the line at the end and it’s frustrating.
“Fans always want effort and endeavour and they certainly got that. The boys put themselves and their bodies on the line.
“It’s a real turning point for us how are boys are fighting for every point.”
