Stingrays coach Graham Shaw admits his squad must arrest their free-falling seasonbefore it's too late.

The club lost their sixth straight game at the hands of Manly United 3-2 on Sunday to remain bottom of the competition.

"It is getting to that stage now where we need to get results," Shaw said.

"We have been having good possession in games but we just can't seem to finish teams off or have that little 'rub of the green' that you like to have in your favour."

The Stingrays were made to come from 3-0 down on Sunday after United scored three goals in less than 10 minutes through Tiarn Powell (two) and Ellen Wheatley.

Typically, Illawarra's second half fightback was led by skipper Michelle Carney.

Last season's leading goal scorer finished off some solid build-up with a classy finish inside the 18-yard box to make it 3-1, just 10 minutes after the break.

Illawarra then continued to pile on the pressure and got their second from the penalty spot through Daila-Tais Borg after Erica Halloway was brought down.

But try as they may, the Stingrays just couldn't find a third.

"They are a tough, tough team. Manly are right up there," Shaw said.

Another double-header at JJ Kelly Park this weekend could be crucial to defining the Stingrays's season.

Illawarra play Football NSW Institute on Saturday and North West Sydney Koalas on Sunday.

In a major boost to their ranks ahead of those fixtures, the Stingrays have signed former Stingrays and W-League goalkeeper Lisa Hartley from Woonona.