A goal drought has afflicted the Ballarat Red Devils in state league division two.

The Haymes Ballarat Red Devils have now failed to score from open play in their last six matches since their 4-3 win in round 12 against Thomastown.

In their most recent match they were beaten 2-nil by Altona City.

Again the Reds had more shots both on and off target than Altona City, and for long periods during the 90 minutes looked a class above their opponents.

"Such is the age of the group and relative inexperience of the group that they begin to wonder where the next goal is coming from," Ballarat coach Danny Gnjidic said.

"We are looking reasonably good until we concede a goal.

"That seems to knock the stuffing out of the lads to some extent and we then start playing like a team bereft of confidence and ideas.

"It's important that we finish the season in the best fashion possible and start looking forward to 2009. We have been very good for a long time and this dip in form is something that we need to learn from."

For the first 30 minutes Ballarat bombarded the Altona goal and with some better finishing could have been three goals up at the break.

Dom Swinton had a great chance in the first minute of the match but the Altona keeper was up to the task saving well.

Further shots to Ashley Lymn, who had two excellent chances, Josh Romein, Franck Labakohler, Shaun Romein and another to Swinton had the Altona City keeper being the busiest player on the ground.

Altona City didn't have its first shot on goal until the 37-minute mark when a Ben Wegener looping header went across Aaron Romein and into the net.

The second half started much the same as the first and Altona played nine men behind the ball to defend the lead, only going forward on the counter attack from a long ball into the Ballarat half.

Ballarat was not getting enough shots away and instead were looking for that brilliant pass or the great goal rather than getting enough balls into the danger area in front of the goals.

Altona then put the game to bed on 77 minutes when a shot from Saric hit the post and John Little tapped in for an easy goal.

"We shouldn't lose sight of the fact that we are the youngest team in the competition, and it's our first year at this level," Gnjidic said.

"There is still so much to look forward to with this young team."