In-form lock Blake Cowled, who had been switched to halfback, lasted four minutes before succumbing to a torn hamstring and Weissel Medallist Sam Quinn continued his horror run of injuries, leaving the field in the 10th minute with a suspected broken jaw.

Brad Nicoll reinjured a knee in the 20th minute and the Diesels bench was looking like a hospital ward.

Quinn bravely returned to the field 10 minutes before half-time but he received two more high shots in the same run and his worst fears of a broken jaw were confirmed.

While the injuries were unsettling, the Diesels did not help themselves.

The wonderful defensive grit they were exhibiting was not translated to the attacking side of things.

Numerous knock-ons in early tackles ensured the Diesels remained under pressure and frustrated until half-time when they trailled 10-0.

After some key positional changes at half-time, the Diesels managed to recapture some of the last few weeks sparkling form, controlling the play well to start taxing the Cootamundra defence.

Two quick tries had the Diesels back in the game and the crowd became anxious.

As the match continued it looked like the Diesels would perform a miraculous escape as they took a 20-16 lead with only four minutes remaining.

Three controversial calls went against the Diesels, including one which led to a Cootamundra try in what appeared to be a knock-on. Cootamundra converted and took a 22-20 lead and finished the match much relieved as the Diesels took the second half 20-12.

The Diesels seem to be looking for some consistency in the line-up and appeared to have their initial ball control issues compounded as more men left the field.