Fade-outs cost Monaro the match

Despite wet and windy conditions the Panthers started strong and made the visitors work for every possession, but it was 2-0 at the 26th minute mark after what assistant coach Pepe Lopera described as "lapses in concentration".

"We started really well, but we conceded two goals from loose marking at set-pieces," he said.

"Anthony Giorgi produced a fantastic volley from outside the box and we were back to 2-1 down at halftime.

"But we still thought we were the better side- it was very positive in the changerooms."

The green and black launched into the second half with great intensity and import Michael Mensah proved his worth, sinking an equalising penatly in the 55th minute.

Gungahlin followed up a deflection from Panther's goalkeeper Jack Pettit to volley through a fluke goal- once again putting the Panthers on the back foot, 3-2 down in the 75th minute.

United held back Monaro to win the two points, but Panthers' Lopera said his boys deserved a draw, if not the win.

"[Gungahlin] created chances and we created chances- both teams deserved a point," he said.

"I'm a bit disappointed we didn't get the point, but it was very positive.

"Samale Mohamed and Anthony Giorgi were very good in the midfield and the backline with Michael Mensah and Michael Pochi was good.

"And it was very encouraging that a lot of the young boys stepped up.

"We nullified their attack and they have one of the best attacks in the league, so we worked hard."

The Panthers take on Canberra Olympic who defeated Monaro convincingly in preseason, but Lopera is confident if the squad can switch on from the start the result may not be as predictable.

"We're never happy with a defeat, but I'm not upset by the loss [to Gungahlin]," he said.

"We're creating opportunities and scoring goals, the next objective is to play for a full 90 minutes.

"But we're a lot better and more confident- we know where our weaknesses are.

"We've already improved remarkably [since preseason] and we've got our weapons- we may cause an upset [against Canberra Olympic].

"We'll cause a few more upsets before the season's end."