Linfield manager David Healy says his side's 1-1 draw at Larne was "frustrating".
The Blues fell behind at Inver Park to Leroy Millar's first-half goal, but responded early in the second half through Adam Frizzell.
Despite having numerical advantage in the closing stages when Millar was shown a red card, the champions could not find a winner but Healy felt a draw was probably a fair outcome.
"Going in one behind at half-time was probably frustrating as I thought we had the three best chances in the first half," Healy told BBC Sport NI.
"We needed the goal to get back into it and we were on the front foot after that without ever really dominating or creating many goal opportunities.
"We probably just didn't do enough to win the game."
While Larne boss Gary Haveron was unhappy with Millar's dismissal, Healy felt there was no malice in the Larne midfielder's challenge on Ethan McGee.
"I thought it was a tough tackle," he opined.
"I've known Leroy from his time at Ballymena - a big, strong honest boy and I think he just mistimed the tackle."