Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick says his side "shot themselves in the foot" during their 2-1 defeat to Preston at Deepdale.
Goals from Stefan Stefan Thordarson and Emil Riis secured the victory after Delano Burgzorg levelled for the visitors.
The result leaves Boro in sixth, and although Carrick says they are still very much in the promotion picture, errors cost them.
"Today I thought it was there for us," he told BBC Radio Tees.
"We started well, defended well and took control for large parts.
"There were a couple of moments where we shot ourselves in the foot.