The Lady Devils suffered a gallant 1-0 defeat at the hands of women’s state league one form team Keilor Park in windy round 17 conditions at Morshead Park on Sunday.

The result sees Ballarat slip into second-last spot on the ladder.

An even first half was broken open when Keilor scored the only goal of the match from a free kick at the 35-minute mark.

Ballarat, featuring the inclusions of Lulu-Al Huneidi and Lily McLean, controlled the remainder of the half but was unable to find the back of the net.

It was much of the same after the break, with the young Scrap Metal Lady Devils working extremely hard to grant themselves scoring opportunities.

A number of shots missed the cross bar and uprights by just centimetres in the dying stages, with one ball even deflecting off the Keilor keeper’s head rather than going into the back of the net.

Lady Devils coach Rick Romein was proud of his squad’s effort against a side that has won its past five games by three goals or more.

“We came up against a side that is in great form and we held them to one goal,” Romein said.

“The girls showed great discipline and perseverance and were so unlucky not to score. 

“It’s now up to the girls to continue next week against Brighton in the last game of the season.”

Earlier in the day, Ballarat’s development squad fought out a gritty 0-0 draw against Keilor Park. 

The squad included Claire Demuth, Katie McAloon, Alex Murphy and Alyssa Britten.

Ballarat’s senior and development squads will play Brighton away from home in the final round of the season.

The Lady Devils sit in ninth spot on the ladder, on even points and goal differential as eighth-placed Preston Lions.