It was a match the Scottish side had high hopes of winning, especially as Leinster were missing a host of international stars due to Test commitments.
But, although they came agonizingly close to victory, Ford admits Edinburgh's performance ensured they blew a great chance to climb the Magners League table.
"From the very beginning we didn't really give ourselves a chance," said Ford.
"We didn't build too many phases, didn't keep the ball for long enough in the first half to put any pressure on them.
"We did score a good try but we let them back into the game with easy penalties and silly mistakes.
"Wrong decisions put to the sword all the hard work that we had done to get into those areas. We have to be more clinical and keep a calm head when we are in those attacking positions."
Those sentiments were echoed by Ford's Edinburgh team-mate Chris Paterson.
The veteran full back scored all but five of his side's points in an impressive individual display at the RDS but he was bitterly disappointed with the overall outcome.
"It is a huge opportunity missed. So many individual errors basically strangled our own game," added Paterson.
"Credit to Leinster, no matter who they field they are a hard side to play against.
"They are cheered on here by the (16,786) crowd, so it is a tough ask but it was definitely one where, if we had cut out the mistakes, we could have come away with a victory."
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