Steve Bruce said Sam Hutchinson was left a disappointed man after missing our only chance of the game in the derby stalemate with Sheff U.
Speaking after the midfielder shot straight at keeper Dean Henderson from eight yards out, Bruce said: “That little bit of quality for the Hutchinson chance was the only bit we showed. Rolando Aarons got free and put a wonderful cross in.
“I think it was their defender John Egan who left it alone, which confused Sam really. He’s disappointed because it was the best opportunity of the game and they were few and far between.”
He added: “He should have scored and could have been a hero.”
Reflecting on the scrappy 90 minutes, Bruce said: “It was a typical derby, lacking quality because of the sheer intensity of the game and a fear of getting beaten.
“It lacked quality at times but both teams went at it.”
The draw moved us up to six points from the play-offs and Bruce said: “We’ve given ourselves a squeak and we’re not going to give up on it.”