However, all 21 Gisborne players could walk off the ground with their heads held high after giving their all against the top side.

Golden Square won 19.18 (132) to 11.14 (80) in cold conditions.

Gisborne coach Ty Elliott couldn’t have asked any more of his players, but in the end, the class, skill and experience of Golden Square proved pivotal.

“The boys battled their guts out, but when you allow Golden Square to get disposal under no pressure they make you pay,’’ Elliott said.

“We had no passengers today, which was our main emphasis.’’

Gisborne made an encouraging start to the contest in the first term, but couldn’t get any reward on the scoreboard.

Gisborne had 10 scoring shots to seven in the first term and led the inside-50 count 14-7 at quarter-time and centre breaks 7-0, but trailed by seven points, 4.3 to 2.8.

After its sluggish start Golden Square then made its move early in the second quarter.

In the first 12 minutes of the second term Golden Square booted an unanswered 5.2, with the goals kicked by Matt O’Toole (two), Grant Weeks (two) and Simon Rosa, to lead by 39 points.

Gisborne launched a revival with three goals in three minutes through Darren Farrugia (two) and Lachlan Testro to cut the margin to 21 points at the 18-minute mark.

The Golden Square lead was 23 points at half-time, 9.7 to 5.8, but showing how competitive Gisborne had been, it still led the inside-50 count 22-19 at the main break.

Gisborne got as close as 17 points nine minutes into the third quarter, before Golden Square kicked nine of the last 13 goals to beat its Bulldog rivals for the sixth straight time.

Weeks took 15 marks for Golden Square and had 15 shots at goal for an inaccurate return of 7.8.

“Gisborne beat us in a number of areas we normally pride ourselves on, which is credit to them,’’ Golden Square coach Nick Carter said.

n Match statistics:

Centre clearances: Golden Square 17; Gisborne 16.

Inside 50s: Golden Square 51; Gisborne 40.

Stoppages: Golden Square 19; Gisborne 22.