Mandurah City have suffered a 2-0 semi-final loss in the first leg of the NPL/Division One inter-divisional play-offs against Fremantle City.
The Dolphins are fighting for a spot in the National Premier League, but it's now an uphill battle, with Fremantle having the advantage heading into the second leg of the semi's in Mandurah this weekend.
Mandurah were reduced to 10 players during Saturday's match after Aaron McCready was handed a red card for a late challenge on Pat Loughrey.
Fremantle scored two goals in the second half of the clash to seal the win.
The Dolphins will now host Fremantle at Gensiscare Stadium in the second leg of the semi-final.
The winner will advance to the play-off final on September 23 where they will face either Joondalup or Sorrento for a place in the NPL competition.