The Border outfit fell 2-0 away to North Geelong Warriors on Saturday, but were left to rue some golden opportunities. 

After conceding in the fifth minute through some poor defending, young gun Fletcher Caponecchia missed a huge chance to square the game in the 35^th minute, failing to bury the ball into the open net.

On the stroke of half-time, Murray was awarded a penalty, with Lewis Greenwood stepping up to the spot in the 42^nd minute, but he also failed to convert.

The visitors threw numbers forward late in the game to try snatch a draw, but North Geelong was able to absorb the pressure and seal the contest in stoppage time to record a 2-0 victory.

Murray coach Elliot Jones was most concerned with another slow start.

“The frustrating thing for me is that is the second week in a row we’ve been beaten out of the blocks by the opposition,” Jones said.

“Our first 10 minutes was quite flat and it’s something we really need to address and fix.

“Once they scored, we got right back on top, dominated the possession for the next 35 minutes and really looked like the better side going into half-time.

“With a few losses now, we understand there’s pressure on the group.

“We accept that and we take responsibility for our own performances.

“We won’t for one minute shy away from that and we’ll get back on the track, work really hard and look to bounce back.

“We haven’t had much luck over the last month, but if you get back and work really hard, eventually that luck will turn.

“We need to be ready when it does and start taking our chances to get back to our old ways.

“For whatever reason, the last two weeks have highlighted when you cop a goal in the first 10 minutes, it shows you’re not as switched on as you could be.”

Jones admitted Greenwood was disappointed after missing the penalty, but commended him for taking on the pressure.

“As an 18-year-old kid, to pick the ball up, put it under your arm and want to take the penalty in the first place shows the character of the guy,” he said.

“Players miss penalties week in, week out, so as much as he’ll be really flat, that’s a part of the game.”

Isaac Read was a late inclusion after Melkie Woldemichael pulled up sore at training on Thursday night with a back complaint, showing some pleasing signs.

Matt Mildren also produced a number of good one-on-one saves during the game.

Abdulkerim Koc will be free to play next weekend after serving a three-match ban, while new recruits Angel Taravillo and Daniel Vasilevski will also be eligible to take on Brunswick City at home.

“It’s not just bringing players in that are going to fix things, we need to be mindful as a group that we need to prepare and work hard to meet the responsibilities head on,” Jones added.

The ladder after round 14 is: Dandenong City 30, Moreland City 29*, Melbourne City 22, Springvale White Eagles 22, Langwarrin 20, Goulburn Valley Suns 19, Eastern Lions 17, Murray United 16, Box Hill United 13, Nunawading City 8.