Highlanders captain Jamie Mackintosh says that he is disappointed to end their Super Rugby season on a loss to the Reds.

The Highlanders have a bye next weekend so while they will earn four points for the bye they will still be out of the Super Rugby play offs.

"It was a frustrating way to end the game, a turnover was not good ... very disappointing to end the season this way," said Macintosh.

Reds stand-in captain Will Genia praised the Highlanders who pushed the Reds until the final act of the match which went into extra time.

"Credit to the Highlanders, they put a lot of pressure on us at the end," said Will Genia.

Genia also praised his own team mates for digging in at the death of the match when the Highlanders were attacking the Reds tryline.

"We show a lot of character to hold on," added Genia.