Cape Town - Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez thought his team played well enough in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with West Brom at the Hawthorns.
The Magpies had to fight back with goals from Ciaran Clark and a Jonny Evans own-goal in the second half after Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Field had put the Baggies ahead.
"I think it's difficult to be happy when you were doing well in the first half, but then you concede the late goal again," Benitez said.
"We conceded against [Manchester] United a late goal, against Watford a late goal in the first half, and this one was the same, so these three goals changed everything.
"The three games we were there, we were in the game. It's something that as a young team we have to learn and manage better.
"But I was really pleased with the reaction of the team, the way they were playing, the work rate and the commitment of all the players.
"They knew it was difficult at 2-0 down and the run we've had. It was very great character from them to go and try to win the game and nearly win the game."