The devastation in the Leicester City camp after their cruellest of play-off defeats yesterday was all too clear.
Manager Nigel Pearson said it would take a long time for everyone associated with the club to get over the heart-breaking way their Wembley dream was dashed at Vicarage Road.
French teenager Anthony Knockaert missed an added-time penalty which would have sent City into the play-off final. Instead, it was Watford who snatched the goal on the break just 20 seconds later which keeps their promotion hopes alive.
That late Troy Deeney goal saw Watford win 3-1 on the day and 3-2 on aggregate.
It was a remarkable and dramatic end to a tie which could have gone either way.
But the manner in which City were beaten will take some time to get over, Pearson said after the game.
However, he said City were in a better position than a year ago and he was confident he would get the opportunity to lead them in another promotion challenge next season.
"I can't think of a worse way to go out but that is how it panned out," he said.
"It is a cruel game. It is very difficult to put into words exactly how the players, staff and supporters are feeling.
"It is a very cruel way to finish the game, to have the opportunity to win the tie to going out within a few seconds. That reality is an illustration of how tough it is to be successful.
"It is difficult for the players to take at the moment, and there will be a lot of reflection going on over the next few days and weeks. But we have to get on with it. We are still in a better position as a football club than we were a year ago.
"We have a lot to improve. It is about results ultimately and about us getting Premiership status. This season has been frustrating at times but we have had our chances. Unfortunately (against Watford), we haven't taken them. If you asked them all, I am sure they would all have preferred not to have experienced this and losing in the way they have. Life is like that.
"It is only a week ago we were talking about heroes in the last minute. It shows you how difficult it is to be successful and to have a balanced view on it.
"I know what needs to be done in the summer.
"I am confident I will get the opportunity."
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