Zak Swanson knows that Pompey have to improve in front of goal in order to return to winning ways.
They dominated their Carabao Cup tie with Peterborough for long periods, with Christian Saydee cancelling out David Ajiboye’s opener at Fratton Park.
But the Blues could not capitalise on Charlie O’Connell’s dismissal for Posh and went on to lose on penalties.
Swanson felt that the hosts looked much brighter in the second half, but was disappointed they could not progress to round three.
The defender said: “It’s frustrating and we have to be able to find ways to beat a team that goes down to 10 men.
“There was a game-plan, but we probably weren’t aggressive enough in the first half and conceded from a set-piece.
"t’s frustrating and we have to be able to find ways to beat a team that goes down to 10 men."
“The manager got into us about getting that press right and we stepped things up after the break to score the equaliser, but we have to go on to win those games.
“Sides like to come here and sit behind the ball and we know that we haven’t scored enough goals so far.
“But we have definitely been getting into the right areas – and it would be worrying if we weren’t doing that.
“We’ve just got to work hard to create more clear-cut chances and be a bit more convincing in front of goal.”
Swanson came into the side to replace the suspended Joe Rafferty, who will also miss the next two League One games.
He said: “This is my opportunity and I have to play well – if I do that then maybe I keep the shirt. That’s what football’s all about.
“You want to be in the team – especially with the atmosphere at Fratton Park – and after losing this game to Peterborough, hopefully we can beat them in the league.