Edinburgh coach Alan Solomons last night paid tribute to his side's courage after they had lost 13-19 to Gloucester in the European Challenge Cup final at The Stoop, but admitted that a below-par first-half performance had been a major part in their defeat.

Solomons' team trailed 19-6 at one point, but fought back with a try by Ross Ford after Gloucester centre Bill Meakes had been red-carded for a dangerous tackle. However, the English side then tightened up and closed out for their win.

"Perhaps we didn't have one of our best performances," said Solomons. "In the first half we didn't play particularly well. We lacked possession, we lacked territory, we were punished in turnovers.

"We lost the ball in contact and our kicking was a bit wayward. We weren't great in the air and in the first half we allowed them far too much momentum. What was important was that we showed resilience and came back n the second half when we got a momentum shift.

"I don't think it was a question of the players not being up for it at all. We have to give credit to our opponents, but tonight wasn't one of our best performances."

Solomons suggested that Edinburgh had put themselves in a position to win the game with Ford's try, but conceded that Gloucester were more streetwise in the way they controlled possession from that point on.

"I thought we had a real chance to win it," said the coach. "Gloucester had a man off and they looked to be struggling a bit. We got deep into their 22, but we then gave away a penalty, then another. They kicked to the line and then held the ball to the end of the game.

"In the first half there was no question that they were well on top and deserved their lead at half-time, but we had an opportunity to snatch a win."

Ironically, the two sides could meet again later this month. Gloucester's win has earned them a place in the play-offs for entry to next season's European Champions Cup, and Edinburgh would provide the opposition if they finished seventh in the Guinness PRO12.

Mike Coman, the Edinburgh captain, said he was more interested in finishing sixth and gaining automatic qualification, but that he would relish another clash with the English side if that scenario came to pass.

"Our first goal is to get into the top six," said Coman. "It would be nice to get another shot at them. We will be well up for it an we know what we have to do to address the issues of where they got on top of us."