Sutherland showed more signs of improvement under new coach Grant Lee despite falling 2-0 to NPL 1 leaders APIA Leichhardt on Saturday night.
The Sharks fell to a first half Jordan Murray penalty and a late Brendan Lundy strike which gave APIA their fifth straight win.
Sutherland had chances of their own at Lambert Park, with Joshua Da Silva going close twice inside the opening 20 minutes while Nathan Elasi hit the side netting 10 minutes after the break.
Veteran gloveman Nathan Denham also made a string of excellent saves to keep Sutherland in the match.
The Sharks’ 11th defeat of the season leaves them in 10th place but they again showed enough to suggest they are building under Lee’s management.
But Lee was left frustrated by the result after his side came away with nothing for their effort.
“We just don’t get the rub of the green,” he said.
“We compound ourselves sometimes by conceding silly goals like the second one and then the game gets away from you.
“In the first half we were not as composed and played into their hands by treating the ball like a hot potato but in the second half we were more patient in our build ups and we did quite well.
“We had some great opportunities and, playing a bit smarter, we’ll be able to get a bit more out of it but you just can’t afford to give away much against good opponents like APIA”.
Sutherland will look to bounce back when they host Sydney United 58 at Seymour Shaw Park in their round 15 clash on Saturday night.
We had some great opportunities and, playing a bit smarter, we’ll be able to get a bit more out of it but you just can’t afford to give away much.
- Sutherland Sharks coach Grant Lee
Kick-off is at 6.30pm.
Meanwhile, Rockdale City’s game against Parramatta at Melita Stadium was washed out on Saturday night. The game was yet to be rescheduled.
Rockdale remain in fifth place but, if they win their game in hand, the Suns could rise as high as third.
The Suns will host their FFA Cup conquerors, Hakoah Sydney City East, at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday looking to win to stay in touch at the top.
Kick-off is at 5pm.
