Despite only going down to premiership contender Yarrawonga by 19 points at Birallee Park on Saturday, Lambert bemoaned his team’s 20-minute lapse in the third quarter and warned that “honourable losses” wouldn’t be tolerated in the final six rounds of the season.

The Raiders had the better of general play in the first, second and final quarters, but were outscored six goals to two in the third term when Yarrawonga stars Craig Ednie and Michael Stevens were allowed to create havoc in the midfield.

“It’s very disappointing when you let yourself down like that against a side in the top three,” Lambert said.

“I thought we were the better side by a long way in the first half and we spoke about keeping up the intensity at half-time, but we dropped off and full credit to Yarrawonga for the way they came out and played after that.

“We just have to learn to sustain the effort and that’s what you need to do if you want to grow a winning culture.

“The effort is there.”

Yarrawonga and Wodonga Raiders went goal for goal in the opening term with the Pigeons fortunate spearhead Tim Hargreaves on song opposed to Daniel Steinhauser.

Hargreaves kicked three majors for the quarter and, with Drew Barnes taken to hospital after trainers were unable to put a dislocated finger back into place and Rick James off the ground with a knee injury, the Pigeons would have been delighted to lead by two points at the change.

The Raiders were hurt by several misses in front of goal and Prior set about rectifying the problem when he kicked three of his own in the second term to open up a 10-point buffer late in the quarter.

But Stevens and John McHenry responded just before half-time and once again Yarrawonga were able to take a slender lead into the break.

It was the first 20 minutes after half-time that effectively sealed the Raiders fate.