Rockdale City face a tough battle to secure a top two NPL 1 finish after suffering a 2-0 loss to fellow finals hopefuls Manly United on Sunday.
A first half Brendan Cholakian strike before a goal to former Sun Nikola Taneski saw Manly secure the three points at the Ilinden Sports Centre.
Rockdale player-coach Paul Reid said his side deserved more from the game.
“They played a certain way today and looked to hit Dylan [Macallister],” he said.
“They scored two goals on the counter attack. I thought we started better. They got on top after that but there was only one team in the second half and that was us.”
The Suns remain third but are just four points clear of sixth-placed Sydney United 58. Rockdale host Bonnyrigg on Sunday and need to keep winning to assure their place in the finals.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
Meanwhile, Sutherland fell to a 2-0 loss to Bonnyrigg at Seymour Shaw Park on Saturday night. The Sharks travel to Wollongong to face the Wolves on Sunday.