Russell Martin admits Swansea City lacked the ruthlessness and energy needed to kill off Bristol City in the FA Cup meeting between the sides.
The Swans dominated the opening half of the third round contest at Ashton Gate and went ahead through what was Joel Piroe's ninth goal of the season in the 15th minute.
However, the visitors' energy levels dropped after the restart, and Antoine Semenyo headed home on 75 minutes to earn the Robins a replay.
"I thought we were brilliant in the first half," said Martin. " We showed so much intensity. We probably tried to kill it a bit too early at times. We should have more sustained attacks.
"Some of the build-up play was incredible. We need to make more of the moments we get in and around their box. The boys were in a little bit of a rush and we lacked a bit of quality.
"I think we limited them to very little, if anything at all. I really liked the aggression we had, the willingness to run.
"We should make more situations. Bristol City threw caution to the wind, they changed their shape and we didn't have the quality to kill the game off.
"We didn't play with enough aggression and willingness to play forwards, the guys at the back needed a bit more help in possession.
"We have a couple of players who just dipped in intensity a bit. The pitch is heavy, they may be a bit tired and maybe that's on us as a coaching staff, maybe we worked them too hard this week after the three games in a week.
"We felt it was a good time to keep building after two positive performances, and we really carried on that in the first half, we were really pleased. But if you're going to let the game turn into a cup tie, which it did a little bit, but, even then they had very little in terms of chances.
"Steven [Benda] didn't have anything to do, but we have to pose more of a threat ourselves in the second-half. We need to try and kill the game off and get the second goal.
"The goal we concede is just poor. So it's frustrating, but loads of positive to take from it, we're still in the draw and we have a chance at home to play them again."
Olivier Ntcham, Luke Cundle and Cameron Congreve were sent on after Nigel Pearson's men equalised, although both sides ended the match with just two efforts on target.
And Martin admits the cup contest further highlighted the need for Swansea to add to their attacking options in the transfer window given the expected departures of Jamie Paterson and Michael Obafemi.
"I think today highlights the areas we want to work on and why. It's really clear," added the head coach.
"We like the shape because there's no round pegs playing in square holes, but we need a few more options at the top end of the pitch.
"January is so difficult to predict. I can't see anything happening imminently, but that can change. We'll continue to work really hard to try and make it happen."
Swansea return to action at Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.
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