It was only last week that Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter talked of his frustration at losing so many close games this season – Saturday's 12-9 defeat to Leicester Tigers was yet another.
If the scores are within three points at the final whistle, it invariably means a defeat for the Devon men this term.
It perhaps started with the 8-6 loss in their very first pre-season game against Connacht.
Chiefs have since lost narrowly to Northampton Saints, London Welsh, Gloucester and now Leicester in the Aviva Premiership as well as Leinster in the Heineken Cup.
Only once this season has tight game gone their way – a 14-12 home win over Saracens back in September.
On many occasions, Chiefs have suffered some bad luck but Saturday's 12-9 reverse was arguably just as much their own making.
They competed well, adapted to Tigers' strength in the set-piece and kept themselves in contention by winning penalties in kickable positions.
Fly-half Gareth Steenson was proving a worthy rival for his opposite number Toby Flood, matching the England man kick for kick right until the end.
Steenson had a challenging shot at goal to draw the game as the clock ticked down but his strike fell just short, dipping below crossbar in the final seconds.
However, it was Chiefs' decision-making on the pitch and their failure to allow Steenson more opportunities with his boot that frustrated Rob Baxter after the final whistle.
Tap penalties taken quickly either deprived Steenson a chance or backfired entirely and Leicester, with their side full of experienced internationals, capitalised to earn a win when perhaps a draw would have been the fairest outcome.
It was clear from the start that this was never going to be a try-fest. An attritional game ensued as both sides pushed one another back and forth the middle third of the pitch in the opening few minutes.
A strong wind and greasy conditions helped neither side find an attacking rhythm. Tigers centre Anthony Allen took one pass full in the face, allowing Chiefs' Jack Nowell to pick up possession, but he was then snared within three strides himself.
Chiefs deservedly took the lead through a Steenson penalty, as a good spell brought a tangible reward.
Flood, meanwhile, sought to test the home side under numerous high balls. However, Steenson, Haydn Thomas and Matt Jess were equal to the challenge, combining well and showing good ingenuity under pressure.
The Tigers' ten and his half-back partner Ben Youngs did offer some variation. A show and go from the international scrum-half took him into the Chiefs' 22 but a knock on brought the move to a halt.
Chiefs' own handling was sometimes less than perfect as well but they continued to defend well before eventually gifting Flood a penalty chance to draw the scores level.
Tigers soon took the lead after earning another penalty at scrum time but Steenson made an immediate reply.
But after Flood kicked Tigers in front again it could have been worse for Chiefs had full-back Matthew Tait passed to one of two spare men on his outside on a break to the hosts' try line.
Instead, he opted to go alone only to have a cluster of Chiefs scrambled across and steal the ball away and clear.
And when Leicester made a mess of retrieving a Jason Shoemark kick down field, Chiefs seized the chance to bring the scores to 9-9 with another Steenson penalty.
The home side were superior for significant periods of the second half but positive spells of possession and territory failed to yield points.
A Thomas tap penalty helped set back-row forward Richard Baxter on the charge but the move broke down and came to nothing.
A dismayed Rob Baxter, analysing his side's performance from the stands, could be heard shouting his disapproval with a kick for goal from Steenson surely being the better option.
Momentum was still in his side's favour. Chiefs had improved their scrum and were dealing with pressure situations better.
However, a misjudgement from replacement scrum-half Will Chudley brought a decisive penalty chance for Flood and he scored the only points of the second half.
Steenson's late attempt to secure a draw just failed to meet the mark and another close game alluded Chiefs.
A losing bonus point was never a just reward for 80 minutes' determined work but the result will not prevent Chiefs from moving forward in search of Heineken Cup qualification over the coming weeks. They remain within a bonus-point victory of sixth-placed London Wasps with four fixtures still to come – Wasps being one of their opponents, on April 21.
Baxter's men must ensure that date arrives with their ambitions still intact. A difficult trip to Sixways looms this weekend while London Irish, due the following week, have been obdurate foes during Chiefs' three Premiership seasons to date.
Another performance like this weekend's will not see them far wrong. The only thing missing was a little composure and maybe some luck.
