Former Leeds United boss Simon Grayson has tempered the Whites’ disappointment at missing out on automatic promotion in the Championship and finishing third.
With Ipswich Town beating Huddersfield Town at Portman Road, nothing Leeds did against Southampton could have pushed them into a top two spot.
Leeds though had even more of an afternoon to forget at Elland Road as they were beaten 2-1 by Southampton.
The Whites now drop into the playoffs and will take on Norwich City in the playoff semi-final.