Harry Bunn shrugged off the praise of Town manager Chris Powell for his bright derby display and said: “We’re devastated by this defeat – but we’re determined to bounce back.”
The former Manchester City man was handed a fifth start for the club by Powell, who said: “He was our best player by a country mile.
“Harry destroyed their right-back (Gaetano Berardi was sent off in the 73rd minute when his foul on the 21-year-old was deemed a second bookable offence by top-level referee Chris Foy).
“He really drove at their defence and delivered some good crosses, but we failed to take advantage of them.”
Bunn emerged from the dressing room post-mortem to say: “I’d rather not discuss what went on in there.
“But we had a constructive talk from the manager, and while we are devastated by this defeat, we all want to move on.
“We could and should have done far better, and while we did create chances, we snatched at them, myself included.
“On another day, one or more might have gone in, and we have to make sure that happens when we play Millwall on Saturday.
“We also have to stop conceding goals like we are doing, and that’s something that involves every player.
“All the lads know we need to put things right, and that has to start on Saturday.”
Powell admitted Leeds’ second goal, in first-half stoppage time, was a huge blow after Town had enjoyed their best spell of the game, which was played in front of a 29,131 crowd at a rainy Elland Road.
“Goals change games, but at one down, you’re definitely still in it,” he said.
“At two down, you still have a chance, but it’s obviously a much taller order, and the next one is crucial.
“The really frustrating thing is that their goals were primarily of our doing. We made the kind of basic mistakes you can’t afford in any match, let alone a big derby.
“I fully understand how the the fans must be feeling and I know emotions run high, but I don’t think my players lacked heart.
“But they know they will have to fight for every possible point if we are to get away from where we are.”
