The Adelaide Strikers couldn't get over the line against the Brisbane Heat at The Gabba, as they fell to a seven-run defeat.
Matt Short impressed with both bat and ball, but it wasn't enough to thrust his side to victory.
The Strikers contained the Heat to 9/179 in the first innings. Short was the pick of the bowlers with his 2-13, but wickets were shared around.
Liam Scott and Luke Wood both struck inside the powerplay before the spin duo of Short and Lloyd Pope combined through the middle overs. Wood struck again at the death, as did Hassan Ali, and they finished with two wickets each.
The Strikers got off to a good start with the bat. Short combined with Chris Lynn to put on 57 for the opening stand. Short was then partnered by young guns Harry Manenti and Jerrssis Wadia to continue the onslaught.
Manenti, in his first start of the season, made 24 off 12 balls, including an audacious scoop for six, while Wadia plundered 24 from his first five deliveries, including three consecutive sixes, to keep the Strikers in the game.
Short eventually fell for 63 and Wadia was dismissed soon after on 34. Despite the best efforts of the tail, the Strikers fell short and were all out with one ball left.
Tim Paine's side will have a chance at revenge as they host the Heat on New Year's Eve at Adelaide Oval in their next fixture.