Cape Town - Reds head coach Nick Stiles admits poor execution and discipline let his side down as they lost 26-19 to the Western Force in Perth on Thursday.
The Brisbane-based outfit were on course for victory, after Eto Nabuli scored his third try which gave his side a 19-12 early in the second half, but conceded a plethora of penalties which allowed the Force to secure the win.
And Stiles was left to rue his side's performance after the match.
"We're bitterly disappointed with our performance. It wasn't good enough," he said.
"We knew what they were going to do and to their credit, they executed it well and we got caught playing too much Rugby in our half. Mistakes turned into pressure, which turned into points."
The Reds' next match is against the Crusaders in Brisbane on Saturday, March 11 and Stiles expects a better showing from his charges.
"How we respond from that performance is key," Stiles added.
"Our actions will speak louder than words."