PETER JACKSON scanned promotion prospects through the wreckage of last night's defeat and admitted: "It's no longer in our hands."
Town could have gone second with a two-goal win but are now fourth, just three ahead of seventh place.
"We've had a few setbacks in our time but this was a major, major disappointment," said Jacko.
"Saturday is obviously a must-win game and, with three left, we have to hope other clubs slip up to stand a chance of taking second.
"It's not in our hands any more and we've thrown away a golden opportunity - that disappoints me more than anything."
Town were today assessing the groin injury which forced Andy Holdsworth off at half time.
Illness victims Tom Clarke and John McAliskey were also being checked while Andy Booth and Phil Senior will not be risked in tonight's Reserve game against Walsall at the Galpharm (7.00) after their surprise return as substitutes.
Pawel Abbott will play some part tonight.
"We played well in the first half and created chances, but we needed a second goal to settle some nerves," added Jacko.
"If we'd got a second goal I think we would have won, but the disruption of having to bring players off didn't help and you can imagine what the atmosphere was like in the dressing room. Everyone was bitterly disappointed."
The run-in:
Southend - April 22 Doncaster (H); April 29 Swansea (A); May 6 Bristol City (H).
Colchester - April 22 Bournemouth (A); April 29 Rotherham (H); May 6 Yeovil (A).
Brentford - April 22 Swindon (A); April 29 Hartlepool (H); May 6 Bournemouth (A).
Town - April 22 Walsall (A); April 29 Yeovil (H); May 6 Swindon (A).
Barnsley - April 22 Blackpool (A); April 29 Bradford (H); May 6 Walsall (A).
Forest - April 22 Hartlepool (A); April 29 Bournemouth (H); May 6 Bradford (A).
Swansea - April 22 Oldham (A); April 29 Southend (H); May 6 Chesterfield (A).
Oldham - April 22 Swansea (H); April 29 Doncaster (A); May 6 Scunthorpe (H).
