United lost 2-1 at Dixie Park on Saturday to Macleay Valley Rangers in wet conditions.

The result now means United are four points behind leaders Wallis Lake who they play this weekend in Forster in the final round.

Rangers started strongly and with 12 minutes played, they scored with a quality strike from the edge of the penalty box.

With 10 minutes to go before half time, the visitors scored from a corner to make it 2-nil.

The second half saw United pressing well but the ball didn't seem to want to go in and Rangers keeper Shaun Glover was also in outstanding form.

With 25 minutes remaining, United's pressure told as Daniel McGovern scored from the penalty spot after he was taken down by Glover.

The Port outfit pushed hard for an equaliser with more chances going unfinished.

The Rangers keeper also made more quality saves in a clear man of the match performance.

Stand in coach, Gregg McDonald, who took the reigns from Chris Walsh couldn't fault the beaten side.

"We created enough chances to win but finishing of these chances proved a difficult task with Shaun having a stand out performance in goals for Rangers," he said.

For most part the game was a continuation of recent good form with just a couple of lapses in defence to offer up chances for the Rangers."

United's reserve grade side went to the top of the table with a 3-0 win over Rangers.

A win against Wallis Lake on Saturday will see the Port side take out the minor premiership.

Goals came from Nathan Wade, Jake Avery and Matt Broderick.

In northern league finals action, United's ladies defeated Kempsey Saints 6-0 to earn a week off.

They will now play in the preliminary final on Saturday August 30 and a win will see them host the NL grand finals.

In the men's, the United Dragons went down 4-2 against top side Wauchope Axemen.

The Dragons will now face Port Saints Cougars this weekend after they knocked out the Port United side.

A golden goal winner sent the Cougars through after it was 1-1 at full time.