Highlands Park head coach Owen da Gama revealed he had spoke to his side before the clash with Orlando Pirates about not conceding early goals.

Read: Lorch & Gabadinho Inspire Ruthless Bucs To Victory

Despite the message from Da Gama, Pirates were two goals up inside 10 minutes thanks to Thembinkosi Lorch and Gabadinho Mhango, before Paseko Mako bagged third just before the halftime break.

“We had spoken before the game and the entire week, we’ve been telling the guys we shouldn’t concede early,” Da Gama told SuperSport after the game.

“The longer the game goes the more control we’ll take. But they were two very soft goals, very, very soft goals.

“Up until then I thought we started coming back very strong in the game. But the ball just didn’t go into the net, we tried everything,” he added.

“We must’ve had between seven and eight opportunities to score, it just didn’t go in. I believe if we had (scored) one or two it would be a different story now.

“I thought from a tactical perspective in the second half, we came and just took control of the game and for me that’s character.

“I wanted to see character from the boys and they showed character. We really came at them in the second half,” Da Gama said.

Strength in depth has been one of Da Gama's challenges this season, something that reared forward again.

“It’s a process, getting the team right is a process. This is our second season in the PSL and obviously we trying to get the depth right in the team. We’ve had a lot, lot of injuries.

“I mean we’ve had to come with a different defence again and a goalkeeper but in saying that I was very happy with the character and I think it can just get better from now on," he added.