Missed opportunities plagued the Reds throughout the first half, as they failed to capitalise on countless attacks under lights at Morshead Park.

In reality, they could easily have led 3-0 at the 30-minute mark had they been clinical in front of goal.

Pat Karras skied a shot just three minutes into the match following a goal line scramble, Josh Romein had an open header from a corner that missed the target and Daniel Tinker sent one sailing over the cross bar after catching the Sunshine defenders outnumbered.

Rarely did the McDonalds Reds look like conceding a goal, dominating the flow of the game for most of the opening half.

The trend continued as the second half got under way, as David King was subbed into the match.

However, Sunshine substitute Chris Antoniadis coolly converted at the 65-minute mark against the run of play, stunning the home crowd into silence.

And when King received his second yellow card and was sent off the field after 73 minutes, it was always going to be difficult.

Sunshine continued to attack and threatened to again find the back of the net as Aaron Romein made countless saves, with Ballarat forced to attack on the counter.

Debutant and late substitute Jimmy Downey had his chance to convert with almost the last play of the day.

The Sunshine keeper had left his goal open with almost every player in the 18-yard box.

Downie struck but his ball narrowly cleared the crossbar, virtually signalling the end of the match.

The Reds now have one week to reassess before hitting the road for an away match against Whittlesea Ranges next Saturday.

Earlier, the Ballarat under-20s side had a convincing 4-1 victory.