Darebin Falcons’ grip on a top-four spot in Women’s State League Division Two North West lasted just a week after they went down 3-1 to La Trobe University on Sunday.
The students leapfrogged Falcons into fourth place, with Darebin’s negative goal difference counting against them.
The Falcons have been in good form away from home in recent weeks as they have put together a four-match unbeaten run but were out of sorts here from the start.
Missing the suspended Carolyn Monk, they were lacking energy and it was no surprise when La Trobe took advantage of their mounting possession to go ahead midway through the first half.
Niddy Morgan was working tirelessly down the right but lacked support so struggled to have her usual impact.
But she maintained that workrate after the break as Darebin rallied, providing a perfect cross for Nicky Leitch to power home a header and make it 1-1.
With Emily Cook and Ang Mackie combining well down the left, the visitors were at last getting some supply to their forward line, where Kathryn Sparks was working hard to provide a target.
The Falcons were still leaving keeper Leanne Hamilton exposed, however, and she was powerless to prevent La Trobe regaining the lead, before extending it to two goals with 15 minutes to play.
The visitors had their chances, with Leitch and Sparks testing La Trobe’s keeper, but could not find the back of the net as they slid to their third defeat of the season.
Darebin host third-placed Keilor Park at Capp Reserve this weekend.