Howe saw Chris McCann score an extra time winner after a 2-0 lead, courtesy of goals from Jay Rodriguez and Wade Elliott, has been lost with two late Barnet goals. "I am at a loss to explain it at this moment in time," he said after the game.
"At 2-0 you think the game is dead, as it was against Burton. We conceded one, which can happen, and then we got edgy. That transmits itself from the crowd to the players, which isn't a criticism of the crowd. It's just football and we didn't defend a lead and it goes to extra time.
"The pleasing thing is we responded as we did against Burton and got through, but there are lessons to be learned. We are scoring goals and we have looked like that all season, but we are still conceding and we have work to do in that area. We have to tighten up at the back, look more solid and more ruthless defensively.
"Confidence is a massive thing in any professional sport and at the minute we are not flowing with belief, but that will come. "I don't know why we are quite like that. We are a new team and sometimes that takes a while to click into gear.
"That's the only thing missing because we have good players and there's nothing wrong. It's just about seeing out games and being mature enough to do that. Some of our play is excellent and we are aware there are things we need to do better. We're not hiding that fact, but as long as we stick together I think we'll get there."