Sunday's clash against the Central Queensland Capras at Davies Park was a frustrating afternoon for the Magpies.
The Capras drew first blood inside six minutes, Blake Moore finishing off a line break to lead 6-0 and another in the 28th minute. The Magpies hit back through Mitchell Owen in the 34th minute after a Kobe Martin line break, Byron Johnson converting to make the trail 10-6 at the break to the home team.
The second half told a different story. Banjo Walker crossed for the Capras in the 57th minute to swing the momentum, and despite Phranklyn Mano-Le-Mamea breaking the line and crossing in the 63rd minute to bring it back to 14-12, the Magpies couldn't find the decisive score. A late penalty shot from Byron Johnson to level the scores drifted wide, and the Capras held on.
14-12. A game that slipped away in the margins.
After the heartbreak of last week's field goal defeat, this one stings just as much. Response will be needed next week as Magpies take on rivals Norths Devils at home.