The home side had its depth tested without key goal-scorer Tom Youngs, as well as Archie Thompson, Fletcher Caponecchia and Ryan Luty, but started the contest promisingly.

A defensive error five minutes from half-time was pounced on by David Stojic to give the visitors a 1-0 buffer at the break.

The advantage was doubled less than five minutes into the second stanza when Murray goalkeeper Abdulkerim Koc misjudged a high ball which trickled into the back of the net.

Murray had the better of the play for the final 20 minutes, but were unable to create enough clear-cut chances to put late pressure on St Albans.

"They're a really strong side and a really slick unit," Murray coach Elliot Jones said.

"We needed everything to go right, we were down on personnel, but we felt we could set up in a way that could frustrate them.

"If we could hang in there for long enough, I felt we were a chance to pinch one on the counter attack.

"It's a tough way to play for 90 minutes, but for the first 41 minutes we did it really well.

"We made one judgement error and they scored it changed the complexion of the game.

"Ryan Luty, Fletcher Caponecchia, Tom Youngs and Archie Thompson would all probably start, but I felt the guys that came in were certainly good enough to get it done."

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Despite the result, Jones was thrilled with the performance of 16-year-old Jordan Hore in his first league start for the club.

"The real positive out of the game was Jordy Hore played one of best the first games I've seen," Jones added.

"He showed that he not only belongs, but can really excel at this level.

"For a 16-year-old to play like that - he was our best player.

"Josh Zito in the second half really worked himself into the game and can hold his head up high."

Jones felt 2-0 was a fair result in the end, but will have a bigger squad to select from in the coming weeks.

Youngs will return next weekend after a trip home to England for personal reasons, while Aidan Rees will recommence full training from a broken foot suffered earlier in the season.

"Obviously you can't replace Tommy Youngs and what he gives us," Jones said.

"We had three or four chances and I'd like to think he would have put one of those away."

The ladder after round 10 is: Bulleen 20, Northcote City 19, Eastern Lions 17*, Langwarrin 16, Melbourne City 14, Box Hill 12, Manningham United 11, GV Suns 8, Springvale 8, Murray United 7.