Top-four hopes are over admits Brown

Friday's crushing last-second defeat at Leeds, when Huddersfield fell 21-20 following Kevin Sinfield's dramatic drop-goal, leaves them five points adrift of fourth-place Hull FC with just five fixtures to go.

With the news Brown is now staying at the Galpharm, settling any doubts, they had hoped to eradicate their inconsistent form and push on with a strong conclusion to the Super League season.

But they remain rooted in sixth spot and Leeds's victory also saw their West Yorkshire rivals pull four points clear directly above.

"I think that is it now for getting in the four," said Brown, who guided Huddersfield to third spot last season.

"It's up to us now to finish as high as we can."

However, the Australian took plenty of positives out of the contest after they fought hard to twice take the lead in the second period before agonisingly succumbing to Sinfield's boot with the last play of the match.

He believes the cruel experience will hold them in good stead for the play-offs and said: "It rates as the 'best' loss we have had since I have been here.

"It is obviously bitterly disappointing to have gone down to defeat in such manner but I feel the way we lost will be good in terms of the club's development.

"If we can learn the lessons of the last few minutes, and keep on improving in a few key areas we could finish the season well and take some momentum into the play-offs.

"It's now our job to build on this and with some players to return soon we still have a lot to look forward to."

Huddersfield had gone 20-14 ahead through an outstanding try from Larne Patrick with just six minutes remaining.

But their inability to close out the contest proved costly and it is a skill Brown knows his side must develop if they are going to eventually challenge for silverware.

Meanwhile, Giants, who entertain Harlequins on Sunday, are closing in on a deal for Australian Test back-rower Luke O'Donnell.

The North Queensland Cowboys star, 29, is understood to have signed a four-year-contract with Huddersfield starting next season.