The ladder-leaders went to the break with a two-goal advantage after a promising opening 15 minutes from the visitors before they gradually wore them down.

Saints now drop to fourth position on the ladder after the defeat, but it's not all doom and gloom.

"I thought the first 10 or 15 minutes we were right in the game and probably unlucky on one chance and should have sunk a second one," Pascoe said.

"We could have led, but after that they dominated us and we were never in the game from there to be honest."

Pascoe admitted United's experience proved the deciding factor rather than any lack of ability from his side.

"I wouldn't say we were outclassed; we're a young team and were probably out-experienced if anything and that's where it is," he said.

"We finished the first half a little bit off the pace and the second half was a lot better for us, but they were two goals up so the job was probably done.

"It was up to us to break them down and I thought if we got one we'd get back into the game, but it's one of those things."

A few other factors also contributed to the two-goal defeat, but Pascoe said United were the better side.

"If we can stay a bit more composed when things don't go our way and get through those tough moments we'll be okay," he said.

"I don't want to read too much into it; we had a couple of guys really crook all week and we played them and probably shouldn't have.

"That's my fault and that didn't help in the first half, but they were still the better team and deserved their win.

"We're not out of it yet."