That’s the situation reigning premier Koroit finds itself in as it enters the Hampden league bye sitting in second spot but far from content with its form.

Koroit overcame Cobden in a game Saints coach Adam Dowie labelled a “battle of the back lines” on Saturday, to improve its win-loss record to 8-3.

The 10.11 (71) to 8.11 (59) victory gave the Saints a one-game buffer on third-ranked Warrnambool and came a week after they ground out a hard fought win over a struggling Terang Mortlake.

Dowie said the back-to-back premiers knew Cobden – considered a finals fancy in an even season – would prove a testing road trip.

The sides were locked in a tense battle, particularly early when they combined for just five goals to half-time despite ideal weather conditions.

“I thought last week against Terang Mortlake was going to be a danger game and this one would be 50/50,” Dowie said.

“Another 10 or 15 minutes and the result could have been different.

“In the context of the season, it (the win) was very important for us.”

Koroit kicked eight of its 10 goals in the second half after trailing by two points at the main break.

The Saints went goalless in the opening term as the Bombers’ defence held sway.

“It was a battle of the back lines,” Dowie said.

“I thought our defence was on top and their defence was as well early on.

“It was reasonably dour. Our forwards put a big emphasis on defence because Cobden’s defenders run and spread.

“Our forwards would run with them and it crowded their half and when it went back the other way and we’d kick, we didn’t have anyone there.”

Cobden co-coach Wayne Robertson lamented “a missed opportunity for us”.

“We can’t accept close as a good enough effort in a game we probably could have won,” he said.

“We had a lapse in the first half of the third quarter and in the second half of the third quarter we controlled the game but couldn’t put it on the board.

“That was probably the difference in the end.”

Koroit teenager Heath Brennan is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a dislocated shoulder, while experienced tall Ethyn Zimmer is carrying a minor calf complaint.

Saints defender Daniel Harrington was a late withdrawal with a back injury but is slated to return after the bye. Cobden got through the match unscathed and is hopeful of regaining important trio Chris Paatsch, Ash Rohan and Sam Harkin from injury after the break.