Stockport boss Dave Challinor wants his players to make better decisions in the final third after they could only draw 1-1 at struggling Rotherham.
The visitors were on top for much of the game at the New York Stadium but only came away with a point.
Louie Barry, in his penultimate game before returning to Aston Villa, opened the scoring with a lethal finish from the edge of the box after gliding into space from Ibou Touray’s pass.
Rotherham responded quickly, with Hakeem Odoffin on hand to head Liam Kelly’s bobbling shot into the roof of the net.
The second half was dominated by the visitors but huge chances failed to materialise.
Callum Connolly came close with a powerful effort and Barry had fellow goalscorer Odoffin in his way when he sniffed a chance of a second.
Rotherham substitute Shaun McWilliams could have nabbed them victory in added time but his shot from Reece James’ cross was blocked.
Challinor said: “I am disappointed with the result, not because I expect us to go anywhere and win but more based on aspects of our performance being really good and we just couldn’t make it pay in the final third.
“There is some frustration, but there were some really good bits to go alongside that.
“It was the lack of care in the final third, and a similar scenario to Huddersfield a few days back, we had the quality but not the care to make the pass at the right time or speed for it to result in goalscoring opportunities.
“Our quality from wide areas was really poor and that is something that has to improve if we are going to convert good performances into the points that those performances deserve.”
Rotherham manager Steve Evans said: “They are the best team we’ve played since Birmingham this season.
“I think they started better than us and for 15 minutes they gave us some problems.
“It was a great finish from Barry.
“We looked for a reaction and scored from the second phase of a set-piece and then we were the better team up to half-time.
“I think the second half was always going to be stretched and we had to gamble a couple of times.
“If there is any disappointment, it’s that we didn’t create in the final third. Our quality didn’t come out of the bag to get that chance on goal.
“Credit to my back five, I think they stood up and did their job.
“We’ve gone toe-to-toe with a team who will be up there at the end of the season and we’ve got to use that as a stepping stone.”
