Despite a valiant effort, Hull FC lost 26-12 to Catalans Dragons away from home.
It makes it three defeats in the opening four but the Black and Whites feel like a side who are improving week on week.
Hull FC had a very disappointing start when their markers were caught out with Mike McMeeken breaking through and teeing up Jayden Nikorima to score inside the first 40 second.
The Dragons did extend the lead out to 12-0 before Fa’amanu Brown touched down a lovely grubber kick to make it 12-6.
However, a controversial yellow card for Jack Ashworth gave Catalans the chance to extend their lead to 14-6 which they took.
Hull did have a chance to make it 14-8 just before the break but missed the penalty but a Jack Walker try at the start of the second half did make it 14-12.
But then Hull ran out of gas and Catalans claimed a 26-12 win over them.
Hull FC boss has his say on Catalans Dragons defeat
Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside after the game, Hull FC Head Coach Tony Smith had his say on the defeat.
Smith said he was disappointed with his side’s discipline but pleased with the effort: “Disappointed obviously, not with the effort once again. Disappointed with how many penalties we gave away letting the opposition off out of their own quarter and own territory.
“We were in a scrap again with another sin bin again against one of the best teams in the comp and we had to fight really hard and show some spirit once again.”
He explained that his side are struggling because “they’re doing it tough” which of course is because of their injuries and suspensions.
Smith said: “They’re playing it tough at the moment and it catches up on you at the end of games. And against a team as good as Catalans they’re going to punish you.
“We’re scrapping really well and I’m pleased with how we’re scrapping. We just need to get players on the park both in terms of numbers and not have sin bins and not relieve our opposition of field position.
“We had another couple of injuries today. We had to make two substitutions for two wingers. Matty Russell tore his pec, then Jack Walker moved onto the wing and Tex Hoy at fullback and Jack, scoring his try, tweaked his hamstring.
“You don’t usually account for two substitutions for two wingers. We have our backs against the wall at the minute.”
