Bolton Wanderers boss Dougie Freedman was upbeat in their FA Cup defeat to Everton.
Freedman admitted Johnny Heitinga's late winner had "kicked us in the teeth", but refused to be too downcast after a performance he labelled the best during his time at the club.
Freedman said: "I am disappointed in the result but not in the performance. We started nervously and they went a goal up, but I felt we handled it and it didn't set us back.
"For the next hour we played possibly the best football since I've been here. We got a deserved goal and pushed everything forward for a winner, then a small detail let us down at the end.
"We are going through a difficult stage at this club but it is very pleasing for the fans to see that we are all working very hard and you can see some glimmers of hope there."