The South West Phoenix Firebirds slumped to their second defeat in a row with a disappointing 2-0 loss at Joondalup City on Sunday.
A goal in each half, on an at times farcical day, meant the Firebirds were unable to move to the top of the table courtesy of the win they desired.
The Firebirds were always likely to find it tough, missing Analeise Gibaut and Eliza Griffiths through injury and illness respectively.
Eleanor Coventry started on the bench for disciplinary reasons.
As such, the Firebirds' starting midfield contained three players aged 16 or under.
Perhaps as a result of that, and coupled with going into the breeze, the Firebirds started slowly and struggled to get out of their own half.
However, for all their territorial dominance, Joondalup didn't fashion any chances until they were gifted a goal when an errant pass at the back from the Firebirds allowed the Joondalup striker a chance, which was too easy to miss.
The goal did serve as a wake up call for the Firebirds though, as they started to get the game back on their terms.
Lucy Scott hit the post and Katie McDermott went close, before Coventry was introduced.
She should have equalised just before half time, when she pounced on a rebound from Scott's attempt but fired straight at the keeper.
The game was up for grabs at 1-0 to Joondalup at half time with the next goal being crucial.
The Firebirds struggled to fashion chances in the second half, as the game became a real arm wrestle on an increasingly difficult surface.
It was Joondalup who grabbed the decisive second goal after 65 minutes with a long range strike, and the Firebirds never really looked likely to get back into the game from there.
It was a disappointing loss for the Firebirds who would have gone top with a win.
The title race is now wide open with the top four teams separated by just two points.
This Sunday, the Firebirds will host Northern Redbacks as they look to get back on the winners list.
Last month saw the Firebirds suffer their first loss of the season. Trailing 3-2 to the Firebirds in the second half, Queens Park booted another two in the final 20 minutes.
Coventry kicked two goals and Scott picked up one in the Firebirds' 3-4 loss.
The Firebirds scored a 7-3 victory over Bassendean after marching to a 5-1 win over Fremantle.
Earlier this season, the South West side claimed commanding wins over Curtin University (4-1), UWA (6-0), Port Kennedy (2-0), and Wanneroo City (4-2).
Visit facebook.com/swphoenixfc/ to track the team's progress.
