The New Zealanders dominated for long periods of the clash but couldn't score the crucial breakthrough before Travis Dodd struck the winner for Adelaide on 70 minutes.

"I think we probably dominated the game to be honest," Herbert told Fox Sports after the game.

"For the first 60 minutes we probably looked like the team who should be in the finals not chasing a spot from sixth. But all credit to Adelaide who got the goal.

"I think we only coughed up two chances tonight, I hate to think how many we had. There's some disappointed boys in there.

"I thought we were the far better side tonight and we're going away empty handed."

Herbert added: "It's absolutely a game that's slipped through our hands.

"It's certainly going to be a good learning curve coming away from the finals.

"As you know our form during the year hasn't been good travelling away but I thought tonight was a pretty comprehensive performance, albeit for a goal, I think we would have gone and won pretty comfortably but we didn't."

Herbert also spoke about Wellington's prospects of re-signing youngster Marco Rojas who is being linked with a move away from the club.

"I don't think we have to do a lot, we've put on the table what we want. Hopefully there's a little bit of loyalty there," he said.

Wellington striker Paul Ifill rued his side's inability to convert their dominance into goals.

"I think we were on top, I don't know about dominating, but we were pretty good value. I don't think we created enough chances," he said.