The Bulldogs must win against Logan Lightning on Saturday if they are to turn their season around.
Lightning has been going through a rough patch, with a number of draws against lower sides, but is still four points ahead of fifth-place Eastern Suburbs.
They had a comfortable 4-1 first-round win over Capalaba, and will come here full of confidence.
Confidence is one thing the Bulldogs need, as it has been their own errors that have cost them the last two matches against top-four sides.
Lions needed two penalties in their win, and the 2-1 loss to Eastern Suburbs at the weekend came through an own goal.
The game opened at a fast rate, both sides creating chances.
Yuji Hirayama worked hard up front, putting one ball into the net only to be ruled off-side.
The Tigers struck back hard, Watson there to break up one raid, and Red Rock Noodle Bar Man of the Match Luke MacDonald doing well to get his hands to a shot which cannoned in from long range.
Easts missed a great chance when they sent the ball across an open goal only to find no support.
Capalaba initiated moves that deserved better results, one from Leek and Hirayama, another coming from Ryan Faichnie and Luke Watson.
But Easts kept up the pressure; a free kick from outside the box brought a fine save from MacDonald, then an accurate corner kick was headed into the side netting.
However MacDonald could do nothing to stop Toru Amano's pile-driver of a free kick, which cannoned in off the post.
Despite that, the Tigers will go back to the drawing board this week as their inability to make the most of set pieces cost them dearly.
They had any number of corner kicks and free kicks in promising positions, but could not get any advantage, and it was a mix-up in the Capalaba defence that gifted them the winner just before half-time.
Easts dominated the second half, and only top defence from Sam Roper and Joe Fields, in particular, stopped them from adding to the score.
Blair Warden's 30-yard screamer into the top left corner, which gave the Easts' keeper no chance, helped him win the reserves' Red Rock Noodle Bar Man of the Match award.
The reserves are clinging to fourth place, but need to turn their string of draws into wins if they are to keep ahead of Mitchelton, which is behind only on goal difference.
They have the ability, as their 1-1 draw against ladder leaders Tigers showed, along with their first-round 2-1 win, means they are one of only two sides to take points from the top team.
Saturday's fixtures kick off at 4.45pm and 7pm.
