Asante Kotoko coach Prosper Narteh Ogum has downplayed Wednesday's 3-0 loss to Accra Lions, insisting that the result was not a true reflection of the game.

Kotoko lost the mid-week fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium to 16th placed Accra Lions, who have since moved out of the relegation zone.

Two first half goals from Jacoub Awoute and Yao Sokpoli put Lions in control of the match, before a third by Nigerian David Akintunde put Kotoko to the sword.

Speaking after the match, coach Prosper Ogum said Kotoko lost the game through successive counter attacks.

''We lost the game on a counter attack, if you look at the two first half goals that they scored, they were all as a result of counter attacks. We were trying to create the opportunity to score and then out of that we let loose some of their players which resulted in the goals,'' he said.

Ogum surprisingly dropped in-form Kwame Opoku to the bench as part of three changes to the line up. Kyei Dwamena, Kyei Baffour and Samuel Tenadu also started as Baba Yahaya and Justice Blay joined Opoku on the bench.

Looking back on the changes, a defiant Ogum insisted that decision did not adversely affect Kotoko's performance.

''We did some changes to the team. [We were] trying to reshuffle the team. I think the team played well until we conceded those two goals. I think we were playing well. Tactically, we were going man for man. We denied them the time and space on the ball. We made changes in the team but then we still did not get the result.''

Wednesday's defeat, the heaviest of Kotoko's season, leaves them in third place with 47 points ahead of the crucial match against second-placed Nations F.C.

Meanwhile, Accra Lions have moved out of the relegation zone for the first time this season, as they sit 14th on 29 points.

They face Heart of Lions in their next encounter at the Kpando Sports Stadium.