However late tries from James Eddie and Mark Bennett - the latter with just a minute on the clock - saw the Scottish side snatch a 27-20 win.
Things don't get much easier for Cardiff as they bid to get back to winning ways as they host Leinster on Thursday - the Irish province currently sitting second in the RaboDirect PRO12.
But McIntosh is urging his troops to stand up and be counted to put their Glasgow disappointment firmly behind them at the first time of asking.
"We played well enough in the first half against Glasgow and felt we were in control of the game," said McIntosh.
"We talked at the break about what we wanted to achieve in the second half, which was controlling areas of the pitch and not making errors, but we just didn't carry it out.
"That's not acceptable as far as we are concerned, especially for the supporters and the jersey.
"We needed composure and there are leaders within that dressing room. We need people to stand up and be counted.
"We can't accept what happened out there. We have got to play for 80 minutes because playing for 40 or 45 minutes just isn't good enough. We have to react in the right way and that means against Leinster."
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