KNOX City lost due to a wind-assisted goal in its FFV State League 3 clash with Fitzroy City at Knox Regional Soccer Centre on Saturday.
Knox went into the game under the guidance of interim coach Zaya Younan and the team had a new look about it, with Gavin Moon back from suspension, new signing Ed Evans moving into central defence and new goalkeeper Matt Broxham between the sticks.
A Fitzroy counter attack midway through the first half led to a long-range shot from Ben Light, the ball hitting the underside of the crossbar at an angle sufficient enough to have it cross the goal line for a 1-0 lead for the visitors.
At 42 minutes Fitzroy seemed to have beaten the Knox defence when the ball hit the back of the net but the offside flag went up to cut short any celebration.
The second half saw Knox with the wind advantage and it was quick to press this advantage.
Three minutes after the restart, Judd Florres took the ball from the left side and headed to centre field where he fired a great shot, beating the keeper and levelling the score 1-1.
The game was alive and Knox was working hard to pressure Fitzroy into a mistake.
Good fortune smiled on Fitzroy about the 75th minute when what looked to be a misdirected cross from the right dropped with the wind and found the back of the net, giving Fitzroy a 2-1 advantage.
Try as it might, Knox could not breach the Fitzroy defence to find an equaliser before the full-time whistle.
Knox reserves lost a hard-fought game 1-0.
Knox faces league-leaders Doveton at
Waratah Reserve this Saturday at 3pm.