Herbert blamed niggly errors for the loss - and insisted it wasn't a fair result for his side's efforts and abilities.

“We’re leaving here disappointed we didn’t get something from this match," he said.

"I don’t really think the result is necessarily a true reflection, I think we dominated for much of the game.

“We were clumsy at times and we were punished for it. It was sloppy and we conceded a goal that got their night started for them.”

But Herbert was pleased that his side, still missing several frontline players through injury, was competitive against the well-drilled Queenslanders.

“There was a nice feeling in the dressing room and I think a lot of players showed against the Roar that we’re going to be very competitive this season.

“And I’d be disappointed if people left QEII thinking it wasn’t a decent football match. That’s important from our point of view - that we’ve got a good product out there - and I think we’ve certainly shown in the last couple of weeks what the potential of this team is.”

Herbert refused to be drawn on a contentious decision by referee Michael Hester to not award a penalty late in the match when Phoenix striker Shane Smeltz was shoved over with only the Roar keeper to beat.

“That’s by the by," he said. "We didn’t get it and that’s the way things go sometimes.”