Port FC head coach Gary Stevens believes it is just a matter of time before the Thai Premier League (TPL) strugglers find the results to match their performances, after a 1-0 defeat at his former side Army United that saw another inspired performance by Singapore international goalkeeper Hassan Sunny.
Ernesto Phumipha's late free kick earned the fourth placed Gentlemen three points but they had to withstand a first half onslaught before overcoming the Port Lions. Army fans warmly applauded their opponents after the match and could be heard chanting the name of the former head coach when he came to acknowledge their support.
Sunday's defeat followed a 1-0 TPL home loss to Ratchaburi and former Spurs and England defender Stevens admitted it had been a tough start at his new club. Stevens was handed a lifeline by Port after being removed as head coach of Army United at the beginning of last month.
But the 53-year-old looked on the positive side when he told ESPN FC: "We have played two games against two of the top TPL teams. We have lost both games 1-0 and on another day we could have won both. I have been encouraged by what I have seen."
Like last week, Port's first half performance was impressive before they faded later in the game. When asked about the team's fitness levels, Stevens said: "Since I came in, we have played Sunday, Wednesday, Sunday, so it has been very difficult to improve fitness. But the team is not fit enough and we will work on this in the weeks ahead."
The visitors dominated the opening exchanges but Sunny -- the Singaporean whose move to Thailand was orchestrated by Stevens during his time at Army United -- was outstanding again as he kept out several waves of attack in the first half.
Stevens acknowledged the influence of Army's shot stopper when he said: "Hassan made a lot of good saves because he is a quality keeper. When I signed him for Army United, I told people that he would be one of the best in the TPL."
Sunny agreed that Port had made life difficult for Army United. He said: "They came at us early, as we expected. Gary Stevens knows us inside out, and that's why we had a lot of problems in the first half but we managed to keep them at bay."
However, the keeper agreed that it was not one of the home side's better performances. He added: "We didn't play very well but sometimes you have to win without playing your best. Ernesto's free kick saved the day for us."
Army United could potentially move into second spot with victory at Muang Thong United next weekend. But Sunny was quick to manage expectations around that fixture.
He said: "This will be a much tougher challenge, especially away from home. Muang Thong have many players in the Thai national side and will be a real test for us. There are no easy games in the TPL and things will keep getting harder."
Buriram United move four points clear of the chasing pack, with a hard fought 2-1 victory at Ratchaburi. Brazil's Diogo once again made the difference with a double strike.
Buriram's closest challengers both slipped up to allow the league leaders to pull away.
Last season's runners-up Chonburi beat Muang Thong United 2-1 at home, a huge result after a disappointing start to the season. Macedonian international Mario Gjurovski put Muang Thong in front before Thiago Cunha's penalty and Nurul Sriyankem's stunning chip put the Sharks ahead before half-time.
But it was not a straightforward win, as the hosts edged to victory when the visitors played the second half with just nine men after Sarawut Kanlayanabundit and Cleiton Silva were red-carded.
Third-placed Bangkok Glass were also defeated. Timor Leste international Diogo Rangel's early strike earned Osotspa a surprise home victory against the Glass Rabbits.
Ronnachai Rangsiyo's brace saw Bangkok United moved into fifth spot, with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Sisaket but sixth-placed Suphanburi missed the chance to move into fourth by letting a 2-0 lead slip at lowly TOT SC. Takahiro Kawamura's late penalty rescued a point for the relegation-threatened hosts.
BEC Tero Sasana's new head coach Kenny Shiels suffered his third defeat in a week. Nakhon Ratchasima's Zambian international Noah Chivuta slotted home an early penalty for the only goal of the game against the misfiring Fire Dragons.
Chiang Rai United moved away from the relegation zone as Renan Marques' last-gasp strike earned them a 2-1 victory at Navy FC, while Chainat and bottom-placed Saraburi shared the points in a 1-1 draw.
It is now up to Buriram's challengers to play catch-up at the top again to ensure that the TPL title race stays alive for the second half of the season. And Port FC have the perfect chance to prove they are better than their position suggests when they face TOT SC at home next weekend.