The undermanned city went down to perennial battlers Wodonga Heart 4-3 on Sunday afternoon and sorely missed experienced defenders Aaron Gough, Dan Millyn and goalkeeper Campbell Taylor.

Coach Matt Maw was forced to bring in a largely untried backline for the clash. 

Maw admitted that while it would take some time for the new-look backline to gel while his first choice squad recovered from injury, his side could ill-afford a repeat effort this Sunday against the second-placed Myrtleford.

“Our entire backline on the weekend had never played together before and it showed,” he said.

“I give Wodonga Heart plenty of credit, they played very well, but our boys just weren't up for it unfortunately.

“But it's a long year, we won't panic just yet.”

Maw said the club would turn its focus to blooding youngsters as it looks to salvage as many points as it can before the break in June.

City face a tough run in the next month with games against Myrtleford, Boomers, Diamonds and Melrose to come.

“We've got goals in us, it's just a matter of getting our shape and structure right,” Maw said.

“We've got a big test against Myrtleford this week.

“For now we'll just have to try and get as many points as we can out of the next few rounds.

“We had to put up a few 15 and 16 year olds, the advantage of that is that they now get a taste of senior football, which will only be a good thing.

“Some players who came into the side earlier on have actually held their spot and are keeping some more senior players out of the team.

“These guys have all stepped up at training, our reserves are performing well so we know the depth is there.”

Gough is not expected to return to the side for another three weeks at least, while Millyn and Taylor were week-to-week prospects.

Maw said he was unwilling to rush the latter pair back into the side.

“It's a matter of managing a few of these players,” Maw said.

“We haven't had a great deal of luck with injuries this season.

“We're missing six of what I would call our first 11, which has had a big impact on the side.”

Existing injury woes were further compounded when striker Paddy Brown re-injured his ankle just 10 minutes into the match.

City's top goalscorer from last season was playing his first match of the season before the injury struck.

“The boys just need to find a little bit of confidence and start playing as a unit.

“We're not going to panic, we know we've got winnable games still to come.

“We just have to take things one week at a time.”

Albury City's opponents this week, Myrtleford, lost a tough battle against Cobram 2-1 last week.