Despite dominating large parts of the game, goals inside the opening minutes of both halves put the home side on the back foot as the Northcote came away with a 2-0 victory.

Josh Knight tucked one away for the visitors in the fifth minute of the game.

Northcote continued to look dangerous for the opening 20 minutes, but it was United who had the better of the latter stages of the half, with a handful of chances missing the mark.

Going into the second half with plenty of confidence, United were quickly deflated when some scrappy defence allowed Matthew Whatley an unmarked header to make it 2-0.

United were completely in control for the rest of the game in every facet except the scoreboard, with chances continuing to be created, but goals proving elusive. 

Coach James Coutts said it was a frustrating afternoon and knew his side was up against it when it conceded early in each half.

“I must admit we had a lot more ball than I probably thought we would,” Coutts said.

“We kept the ball really well, we moved the ball well in patches, but I felt sometimes it was a little bit too slow, so they could get in their blocks a little too easily.

“They’re very organised defensively and have a solid structure.

“I thought we played some really good stuff in the final third, we just couldn’t quite get that goal or take that chance to really put pressure on them.

“We need to have a stronger mentality because their back four all game were talking and were strong, so we just need to be a little more ruthless in that area.

“The boys take that on board and we’ve come a hell of a long way, so we’re disappointed and frustrated because we really feel we could have got something today.”

Coutts admitted it’s the lack of quality to finish off the excellent lead up work that still needs improvement. 

“We’ve spoken about that and worked on that and it’s not just the attacking players, it’s all of us collectively that need to be better,” he said.

“On the flip side, defensively we needed to be a bit stronger today, however, we can’t be too negative.

“We’re disappointed, we played the top side and probably had 70 per cent of the possession, kept the ball very well, created numerous chances, but they just took theirs on the day and we didn’t.”

Coutts hopes his side can bounce back against Sunshine-George Cross next weekend.

“We’ll go there full of confidence to get the result and hopefully get back on a winning run,” Coutts added.