Redlands United have gone down 1-nil to Brisbane Strikers on Saturday night at Perry Park.
A 12th minute penalty to Jeremy Stewart sealed Strikers the three points and sent them to top spot on the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland ladder for the 24 hours as they continue their premiership defence.
Redlands were missing experienced midfielder Graham Fyfe, who had been suffering a niggling hip injury while newly signed Lloyd Harrington also missed the match.
Redlands dominated early after a miscommunication in the Strikers defensive line allowed Reuben Douglas in on goal, but his shot was just wide of the post.
Despite the early chances, Redlands could not convert in front of goal and it allowed for the Strikers to apply pressure to the Redlands defence but young goalkeeper James Edgar stood strong on his line.
Minutes later, Strikers midfielder Ethan Docherty was brought down inside the box after a clumsy challenge by a Redlands defender. Stewart sent Edgar the wrong way, gifting Strikers the lead.
There was little chance from either side for the remainder of the first half as the forwards were unable to weave their way through the defence. Redlands shared a good percentage of the possession and showed glimpses of promise as they built play through the midfield.
The Strikers came out firing in the second half, knowing they needed to maintain their 1-nil lead in order to go ahead of Gold City on goal difference.
But Redlands were not going to allow Strikers to extend their lead as their defence continued to keep their forwards at bay.
The Strikers best chance of the half came as Stewart caught Edgar off his line from 40 yards out but his shot founds its way onto the roof of the net.
Redlands almost mounted a late comeback in stoppage time as captain Michael Ryan climbed high above the pack for a header, only for Strikers goalkeeper Zac Speedy to gather the chance.
