"You can't plan for those things. The two teams that are expected to struggle and to score goals meet and we gave a gift goal like that. It couldn't get any worse," McCarthy said after the 1-0 defeat.
"I thought the penalty was a bit soft but that's the way it has been in the first four games and that's the way it will be in the Premiership.
"The way we have gone in the four games despite the results shows we have a lot to play for, but I am very proud of the players and told them so. We have to keep battling on and if we carry on the way we have been I am sure we will turn things round.
"I am proud of them individually and collectively. Don't get me wrong I am not delighted that we have no points, but we have players who have gone away on international duty and I have told them that they can go with their heads held high.
"It's not the best time for a break as we won't meet up again for almost a fortnight but we have plenty to work on and I am optimistic with what I have seen so far."