Graham Potter claimed size matters after Swansea City were again muscled out of more Championship points at Nottingham Forest.
Despite leading 1-0 late on and having far more of the ball, there was a sense of inevitability when Forest scored twice from set-pieces to turn the game around.
It was exactly the same as happened in their recent defeat at West Brom and it appears teams have now realised Potter’s side tend to crumble under physical pressure – especially from set-pieces.
That was the Swans’ sixth straight away defeat and reflecting on the goals conceded, manager Potter said: “I have not watched them back, they are bigger than us of course, that is the reality and we cannot do too much about that.
“But we can look at maybe being organised a little bit better, but sometimes it is the quality of the delivery and the guy being physically better than you.
“But if you want to be promoted out of this league you have to get better a team and is something we can improve in both boxes, because we had plenty of corners ourselves and did not cause their keeper enough problems.”
“But ultimately if you don’t defend your box you are going to be in trouble, and it was just two actions. That’s all it was.
“I cannot think of too much else they had, but we got punished for it and I feel for the players.
“They have put everything into the game, they have done everything we have asked of them apart from that last two minutes.
“We did not lack for character, effort or bravery in terms of how we want to play.”
Forest manager Martin O’Neil suggested the difference between the teams was not size, but that his side have players who are keen to attack the ball at set-pieces.
O’Neil said: “I never give up here, because we had talked about the set pieces, which are really important – and we have people who want to attack it.
“The delivery for both goals was spot on – but you still have to score. So if you have one or two players who really want it, who really want to get on the end of things, you have a chance.
“We have lots to do when it comes to the performance. But I am delighted with the players, because they can see that they can get something out of a game where they have been second best for a lot of it.”
Forest twice scored headers from corners, through Daryl Murphy in the 80th minute and Molla Wague seven minutes later, as they came from a goal down to claim three vital points.
The mood at a sold-out City Ground was growing dark when a driven shot from George Byers took a big deflection off Connor Roberts to give Swansea the lead in the 76th minute.
But the Reds’ late recovery helped them keep within touching distance of the top six as they picked up just their second win in five matches.