THE Bendigo Pioneers paid the price for their inaccuracy in front of goal as they were denied their second win of the NAB League Girls season by the Dandenong Stingrays on Saturday.

The Pioneers had four more scoring shots than the Stingrays, but were beaten by one point in a thriller - 5.6 (36) to 4.11 (35) - at Epsom-Huntly Recreation Reserve.

"We played exceptionally well and were happy we created as many opportunities as we did," Pioneers coach Danny O'Bree said.

"Unfortunately, the girls weren't able to get the reward for their effort.

"As a coaching staff we know how hard they have been working and to come up today against a high quality opposition that has had some ripping results, we knew it was going to be a tough challenge."

The Pioneers squandered the chance to put the Stingrays away in the first half.

While they led by eight points at the main break - 3.8 to 3.0 - the margin could have been far more decisive had they capitalised on their chances.

The Stingrays made the most of their let-off and lifted in the third quarter, kicking 2.4 to 0.1 to snatch a seven-point lead heading into the final term.

In what was a hard-fought last quarter, the Pioneers levelled the scores at 35-apiece, before a behind to the Stingrays with the final score of the match was enough to give the visitors a win by the barest of margins.

The Pioneers had been heading into attack when the final siren sounded.

"Credit to Dandenong, they played a ripping quarter of footy in the third when we dropped our concentration," O'Bree said.

"We had our chances to put the game away early, but we didn't and we'll learn from that moving forward."

The best players for the Pioneers - whose sole win remains their round one victory over Murray by 26 points - were headed by Drew Ryan playing a wing/forward role.

"Drew is a high quality player. She has been consistent all year, is exceptional with the footy and is very smart," O'Bree said.

"She's a bit of an unsung hero in our team and was really important today in setting up a lot of our attacks."

Also continuing her consistent season was on-baller Elizabeth Snell, who has featured among the Pioneers' best players in five of their six games.

"She is flying and has been rewarded with Vic Country selection," O'Bree said.

"She has been our most consistent player for the year. She's just so hard at it and is incredibly important around the stoppages and very clever when she has the footy."

Also among the better players for the Pioneers were Freyja Pearce, Lucia Painter, Lily Den Houting and Jemmika Douglas.

The Pioneers got through the game injury free.

The Pioneers head to Trevor Barker Beach Oval in Sandringham next Sunday to take on the winless Gippsland Power from 1.30pm in round eight.

Dandenong Stingrays 5.6 (36) def Bendigo Pioneers 4.11 (35).

Bendigo goals - C. Mitchell, O. Di Donato, J. Douglas, L. Painter 1.

Bendigo best players - D. Ryan, E. Snell, F. Pearce, L. Painter, L. den Houting, J. Douglas.

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