Manager Paul Simpson spoke to us shortly after the full-time whistle at Exeter City.
"Hugely disappointed to not take anything out the game," he said.
"Unfortunately we only started playing with any real meaning when we were 2-0 down. It doesn't matter where you're playing, you have to start and you have to have a belief that you're going to win the game and I don't think we had that.
"I think we've turned up expecting it to happen and unfortunately you can't do that. You have to be right from the first whistle.
"I thought we had chances today, particularly towards the end of the game, we had some more chances.
"But if you don't do the simple, basic things well - tracking runners, following shots in, passing the ball better, locking on to players - then you don't get anything out of games."
Dan Butterworth's late goal gave the Blues some hope, but their manager was disappointed his side didn't make the most of earlier opportunities.
"We got into some great areas, in the first half as well, but our quality was poor," he admitted.
"We've had opportunities around the 18 yard box to be brave to shoot and we've turned it down.
"We've had a great bit of play that's put Josh Emmanuel in and he can't get his feet right, it's those simple things.
"Unfortunately everyone has to take it and deal with it and be better. This was a game that was there to be won and I think we've let Exeter off the hook a little bit."
Expanding further on the goals conceded by United, Simpson said: "The first goal is a poor goal to give away and we allowed a midfielder to run off us.
"It's a good finish don't get me wrong because he's following in from a great defensive block.
"I feel a bit for Sam Lavelle and Gabe Breeze because they've put blocks in, Gabe has made some really good saves and double saves and we haven't followed in as well as we should have done.
"It's two balls where we've done the first bit right and not followed up or blocked it properly.
"They're all basics - there's enough ability in this group to say we shouldn't be in this position, but if you don't do the horrible stuff of football then you get found out.
"Unfortunately that's happening too much. There's no level of consistency there to follow one good performance and result with another one and that's exactly what's happened today, barring the last 15, 20 minutes where we've had a right go at it.
"Why can't we have a go from the start? We've talked about it, that's how we prepared for it, saying we need to go front foot and start properly, but we've only started once we're a goal or two down."
294 fans backed the Cumbrians at St James' Park and Simpson was quick to praise their support.
"It's incredible," he said.
"To come and do this journey today is absolutely fantastic from the supporters and we had good numbers here today as well.
"They made their noise, they played their part, but again they've got another disappointing journey home where we haven't taken anything from the game."
