Chris Coleman says he would have accepted Wales' position going into their final group game at Euro 2016 before the tournament started.
Wales were taking a huge step towards qualification for the last 16 when Daniel Sturridge's last-gasp goal for England consigned them to a shattering 2-1 defeat in Lens .
Substitute Sturridge struck in the first minute of stoppage time, and it is now England who hold top spot in Group B heading into their final game with Slovakia on Monday.
On the same evening Wales play Russia in Toulouse and, while victory would definitely guarantee them a place in the knock-out stage, a point may also be enough to progress.
"There is always three games," said Wales manager Coleman.
"The danger of this one being the middle one was everyone was looking at this - the Battle of Britain.
"You get caught up in it a little bit but we have to get it out of our system, we can't take the disappointment into the next game.
"Before we go into this tournament, if you say it is all on the last game and if we get a result we go through, we would have to accept that.
"I think the disappointment is because we won the first one and are 1-0 up in the second one at half-time.
"The fashion we lost it was a bitter pill to swallow, but you have to get over it.
"England did it. They conceded in the last minute against Russia and showed good courage to get back in the second game - and we have to do the same."
Gareth Bale's fine 35-yard free-kick gave Wales the lead before half-time and the last 16 was within tantalising reach at that point.
But England laid siege to the Wales goal for most of the second half, equalising through Jamie Vardy in the 56th minute before snatching all three points late on through Sturridge.
Asked if the better side won, Coleman replied: "Would you be asking that question if they hadn't had scored in the last 30 seconds?
"You know you're going to be up against it from the start, it was a tough game.
"But we did everything we could to keep them at bay and even when they got the equaliser, they had possession but I think Wayne (Hennessey) pulled off one save.
"They pressed and probed but we weren't stretched too badly.
"For the dying seconds to lose it there, I can't say I've felt that disappointed too many times in my career as I did when that goal went in.
"To lose it like that was gut-wrenching for the players and our supporters."
Russia drew 1-1 against England before losing to Slovakia 2-1, and their only chance of qualification rests on beating Wales.
"I think it is an exciting group this one because it is all on these last games," said Coleman.
"We know what Slovakia are all about, it won't be an easy game for England either.
"Russia have got experience, they will be hurting after the defeat against Slovakia.
"I think it is whichever team is able to put the disappointments behind them from this middle game will be the ones to prevail."
Source: PA
