Boro failed to reach the heights they reached in the weekend's 4-0 win against the Blades and were defeated by two goals in the final eight minutes from Craig Jones and Johnson Clarke-Harris, a result which moved the Shakers off the foot of the table.
And Smith, whose side have lost nine of their last 11 games, was furious with his side's performance.
"We were overjoyed on Saturday after the win against Sheffield United, but that showing bore no resemblance whatsoever to the weekend," he said.
"That's been the challenge throughout really, to find that consistency.
"We have to compete better, much better.
"Going forward we looked toothless, we lacked ideas far too often. We looked as unreliable as I have seen us for a very long time.
"It's been a tough night for us all. We've made the long journey up here and we'll be going back home with nothing."
