After a shocking start to the season, on and off the pitch, Roar managed to inflict one of the most painful defeats on the harbour-siders.

For the first time in two years Graham Arnold's men suffered back-to-back losses, leaving them vulnerable to Newcastle Jets who sit just five points behind.

Matt McKay and Jacob Pepper put Roar two goals up within the first 20 minutes before Milos Ninkovic reduced the deficit just on the hour. All three goals came off set plays. The result puts Aloisi's men within two points of the top six.

"We knew it was going to be a difficult game but we had to focus on ourselves," Aloisi told Fox Sports post match.  "We believe we can beat any side in this competition, whether it’s home or away.

"A lot of our players, especially our front four are now starting to find real form, but I was really happy with our defensive performance.

"Until their goal we actually shut them down pretty well and they didn’t really create much. They got a bit of a lift from their goal but we held on in the end."

Jacob Pepper and Daniel Bowles were drafted in for injured first choice centre backs Jade North and Avraam Papadopoulos and managed to neutralise Sydney's main attacking weapons.

"They were outstanding," Aloisi said.

"Along with Matty McKay and Thomas Kristensen in midfield, they really stopped (Milos) Ninkovic and (Adrian) Mierzejewski  getting the ball in good areas and dangerous areas, so it was an impressive performance.

Sydney pressed for an equaliser, and an astonishing total of 12 minutes stoppage time across both halves (5' + 7') gave them plenty of time to get the ball in the back of the net.

Alex Wilknson's  superb diving header in the first half was ruled offside by the VAR, Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young denied a Brandon O'Neill free kick, and Matt Simon came within centimetres of saving the day when he hit the woodwork in the 88th minute.

Aloisi added: “I’m starting to see a little bit of sunshine. They say after a storm there will be sunshine coming and we’re moving to our new (training) facility in Logan on Monday.

"The last seven games we’ve won five. We’re starting to look fit, we’re starting to look well -drilled. It’s been hard, it’s been a tough year.

"The boys always stuck together , they always believed in themselves and what we’re trying to do at the football club and now we’re starting to see the results.

"We’ve got four games left and we need to win all four if we want to make finals and that’s what we’re aiming to do."