Wales manager John Toshack refused to be downcast after falling to a second successive defeat against Austria.
"I'm happy with the performance and it's better for us to lose like that now than 18 months down the line," he said after the 1-0 loss in Vienna.
"I was pleased with the systems used here and in Cardiff, those are things we can work with in the future.
"Danny Coyne was very unfortunate to concede the goal, but the most influential player was their keeper."
Toshack saw Burnley stopper Coyne blunder with three minutes to go to gift the crucial goal to Rene Aufhauser.
At the other end, Austria's Helge Payer denied multiple chances from Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy to follow on from his starring role in Austria's 2-0 win at the Millennium Stadium.
"The lads played really well, especially in the first half when 0-0 was not a true reflection of the game," said Toshack, who had dropped John Hartson from his starting XI and switched to a sweeper system.
"Austria couldn't believe their luck and you would expect them to come back after that.
"Their substitute [Ivica Vartic] made a big difference, like he did in Cardiff, but Giggs and Bellamy had more chances as well.
"Disappointment can sharpen the appetite and I was pleased with the performance."
Toshack's skipper Giggs reflected his manager's mixed emotions.
"We didn't deserve that and played well enough to get a result," said the Manchester United star.
"We've had chances at 0-0 in both games and we just have to put those away, that's been the difference.
"We put everything in and it's tough to come away with nothing. Some of our play was brilliant."