Hull City boss Steve Bruce admitted the occasion got the better of his team after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Bristol City at the KC Stadium.
Victory for the Tigers would have virtually secured promotion to the Premier League, but they were frustrated by their already-relegated opponents.
Bruce said: "It was a bit of nerves, edginess. We were desperately trying too hard to do too well and getting wrapped up in the whole thing.
"It's what it is, today the expectation got the better of us - we forgot how to play the game unfortunately.
"We knew it was a big, important game for us all. One thing we have done over past three months is handle the occasion, that's the disappointing thing.
"No matter what we tried to do, we didn't do enough. The reason why we have got where we have got to is because we get it down and play with a freedom."
