The River Rats were the first to hit the scoreboard, but failed to hang onto their lead, being held scoreless in the back half of the game.
River Rats president Adam Thompson said it had not been the easiest day for the side.
"It was a bit disappointing,” he said.
"We were a bit short on players which never makes things easy. We didn't have the strongest side, but we would have hoped to win the match.
"But unfortunately we couldn't hold on to the lead when we got it. We let a silly one in, and despite dominating the play later in the game we just weren't able to get another one on the board.
"We had some pretty good shots on goal later in the game but their goalie was too good.
"Our opposition in Strathdale weren't too bad of a side, but I expected us to win and it's disappointing coming away having not got the result."
The result leaves the River Rats sitting fifth on the competition's ladder with a 1-1-1 record, with their next clash against Strikers on Sunday in Shepparton.
"We've played them a lot in the past,” Thompson said.
"We know about where they sit and what kind of game they are going to play.
"They have some excellent players in their line-up, ones that if we can keep out of the game we will go a long way to winning."
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