Rockdale City slipped to their third league defeat in a row with a 2-0 reverse against APIA Leichhardt on Sunday.
The injury-hit Suns fell to goals from Sean Symons and Jordan Murray. Jordan Figon looked to have made it 1-1 with 15 minutes remaining only for his effort to be ruled out for handball.
Rockdale player-coach Paul Reid, out injured with a fractured elbow, was upbeat about his side’s performance despite the result.
“We have lost our last three league games and haven’t scored in any of those games so it’s obviously something that we have to change,” he said.
“We were scoring goals at the start of the year but now we are below par. In the first half today we were solid and tight defensively but a couple of mistakes from us in the second half and they scored their goals.
"It’s disappointing and we are getting punished for our mistakes.”
Rockdale host Sydney FC at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.
Kick-off is at 5pm.
It’s disappointing and we are getting punished for our mistakes.
- Paul Reid
Meanwhile, Rockdale are one game away from the round of 32 after downing Marconi 4-2 in the FFA Cup last Wednesday night.
The Suns will meet either fellow NPL 1 side Hakoah Sydney City East or Illawarra Premier League club Albion Park White Eagles for a place on the national stage.