SHEFFIELD Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen admits his side were not good enough on the night at Notts County as they suffered a reality check by virtue of a 2-0 League One reverse.
The Owls' first visit to Meadow Lane since March 2012 proved a forgettable one as they were turned over by the struggling Magpies and didn't muster an effort on target.
A tough evening for Wednesday, who triumphed 5-0 last weekend, was compounded by the 50th minute dismissal of top-scorer Jamal Lowe early in the second half following a heavy touch - with the striker lunging in on Jacob Bedeau in a futile attempt to win it back.
Pedersen, whose side face a Yorkshire derby at Doncaster Rovers this weekend, had no complaints with the decision, but believed his side’s inability to carry out the basics of the game correctly was the primary reason for defeat.
He said: "To compete in League One, and to win a game in League One, all the basics need to be done, and for those sorts of things, we were not on the level that we have been.
"The first half was under the level for who we want to be. Our intensity in the game, our duels, and on the ball we had too many easy mistakes.” Pedersen had little to say on the red card for Lowe.
"No (complaints),” said the Dane.
"It’s of course not what you need, a red card when you’re 1-0 down, and Jamal knows that.
"We all know it. It was not good enough tonight, and to win football games in League One, the basics have to be right.”
Notts manager Martin Paterson believed his side were good value for their 2-0 win.
Daniel Kanu’s penalty shortly before the break and Darius Lipsiuc’s composed finish nine minutes from full-time gave Paterson’s men their first league win since August.
"We’re delighted with that,” said Paterson.
"We started the season really competitively and then we had a little bump in the road. But tonight, we had a really good win.
"Even against 11 men I thought we were good for it, and I’m really pleased with my players.”
Paterson was also relieved to record a first clean sheet of the campaign in any competition at the 13th time of asking.
"It’s really important to do that,” he said. “[Clean sheets are] a big part of being successful, so I’m really pleased.
"We did take some risks at the end that I wasn’t quite happy with, but I think the lads should enjoy it tonight before being ready to work on Thursday."