"Yeah we really needed to beat [Belsouth] but now the minor premiership is in their hands," Lennon lamented.

Despite only being a single point behind leaders Belsouth with four games remaining, Lennon is now concerned purely about qualifying for the finals.

"Now we have to get into the semis, and six points from our next two games against UC and Weston Molonglo should get us there," he said.

"After that we have two of the better sides in Tuggeranong and Belconnen so we don't really want to have must-win games against them."

Saturday's match could have gone either way according to Lennon, who said the Royal Hotel/Think Technology Redbacks had two clear cut chances and a host of other goal scoring opportunities.

"I'm not making any excuses but it was a game we should have won or at the very least drawn.

"In the first half we just didn't take our opportunites... we should have been up 3-0."

And that was without leading goal scorer Mitch Darmody and pivotal midfielder Ryan Wing, who were both out with hamstring injuries.

"We lost some of our potency in attack without those two.

"I've got my fingers crossed that Ryan will be back this week but I think Mitch will be a bit longer, and we'll need him to be right for those last couple of games."

Regular second-graders James Alley, Tim Coughlin, Doug Murphy and Oliver Watson stepped up and the coach was thrilled with their efforst.

"They all played really well, it's handy having those quality players to call on when we're short and we'll need that depth with the finals approaching," Lennon said.

The second-grade lost to Belsouth 4-2, with goals from Oliver Watson and Ben Cover not enough to overcome the fourth-placed home side.

The Redbacks are now in serious danger of collecting the wooden spoon, with the Division 8 side tied in last-place with Palerang United.