Bendigo City suffered its 20th loss in 21 games this season when beaten by a classy Dandenong Thunder at Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

The loss has left the team with a single point this season, 21 points behind second-last placed Melbourne Victory in the National Premier Leagues 2 West division.

It was always going to be an uphill battle for Bendigo City against a slick opponent containing the likes of former Socceroo Simon Colosimo and former A-League players Rodrigo Vargas and Kristian Sarkies.

But as they have done throughout a tough season, Trathen said his players had not shied away from the challenge.

"The intent is to rack up a win before the season ends and I do think it's coming," he said.

"Leading up to our last two games (including a 3-nil loss to Sunshine George Cross) we had managed to score each week and put some of these teams under pressure.

"If we can do that we are a real chance.

"We've (already) played the top three teams on our side of the draw twice and played the top few teams on the (east) side twice, now we have a run of games against teams that are either mid-table or bottom of the table."

It was hoped the experience gained in its recent series of matches against top-three opponents would benefit Bendigo City in the latter stages of the season.

"We were in a position to win a couple of those games, but inexperience has cost us on a few occasions, and things haven't gone our way on other occasions," Trathen said

Trathen was encouraged by his players' efforts against a star-studded Thunder.

Seventeen-year-old Matthew Sporle, who was playing only his eighth senior game – all of them this season – was a standout, earning high praise from his coach.

"He really troubled their centre backs, one who is Simon Colosimo, who played 20-odd games for the Socceroos and the other is Rodrigo Vargas, who was an A-League player," Trathen said.

"I thought Oli Leonard-Shannon and one of our newer players Simon Rohan-Jones (in his third game) played really well.

"Net to him Charlie McCormick did very well too.

"On the weekend we had four players over 21, everyone else was under. We are playing against teams that are full of hardened and experienced players, so we are up against it when we walk on the field.

"We conceded three goals in one 15 minute period, one of them a very dubious penalty, but apart from that we acquainted ourselves really well.

"It gives me hope that a win is not too far away."

Bendigo City this week faces Springvale White Eagles, who are mid-table in the east division and coming off a 3-1 win over Melbourne Victory.

Meanwhile, Bendigo City's under-20 youth team lost 2-6 to Dandenong Thunder to advance their record to no wins, three draws and 18 losses.