It was a performance that brought back memories of last year's Premier League title-winning campaign, as the Sharks showed plenty of defensive resilience after Brendan Pattman snared an early goal.

It was a victory that captain Tyler Bromham-Fuller says will give Woonona plenty of belief.

"We got back to our defensive solidarity that was so good for us in that league-winning campaign. We had a few chances to put the game away, but didn't take them. But all in all, I can't complain too much," Bromham-Fuller said.

"We knew they were going to come at us, they had two guys up top and two out wide who sat higher and higher. They had five up top at times, but we battled away to the end.

"We know we're going back to that form that won us the league. We don't fear anyone again. We have a test against Olympic next week, so bring them on."

For Albion Park, it was a lacklustre performance - particularly in attack at times - in front of their home crowd. It was their first defeat this season, and coach Alvin Ceccoli's first loss since taking over the reins from Rob Birkin and Chad Bishop last month.

"We didn't start off well, and they did obviously. We conceded a goal to a defensive error, but that's part of the game," Ceccoli said.

"I'm proud of the guys because they really battled hard. We made some changes and I thought we looked a lot better after that. We had a good go at it in the second half.

"They got the three points, but I don't think they should have got anything else out of it, in terms of they didn't really have any second half goal-scoring opportunities, whereas we did. I thought we dominated the second half convincingly, but we just couldn't score."

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Both teams looked to control possession early, but it was Woonona who looked more assured on Saturday.

And it took the Sharks only six minutes to score first after Pattman forced Park error in defence, got the ball and beat goalkeeper Blake Horton one-on-one to find the back of the net.

The visitors continued to create pressure for their opponent's defence following that goal. Jeremy Lopez had a good shot, but his attempt swung wide.

Park's first real chance came around the 20-minute mark, when Brendan Fordham wound up for a low shot outside the box, but it just missed the target. At the other end, Robbie Gaudiosi did a nice chip shot, with Horton forced to make an athletic save.

However, the White Eagles started to create more pressure as the first half progressed. Striker Cameron Morgan had a great chance inside the box with eight minutes left, but his shot was too high.

Late in the half, Horton made a good stop to deny Gaudiosi's shot. The ball was parried to Richard Lee, but his attempt deflected off a defender out of of play. From the corner, the ball ricocheted to Pattman, but his long-range shot was just off target.

The Sharks led 1-0 at half time.

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Park came out with more urgency in the second half, but were struggling to get things going in attack. Hamish Lamberton, in his first IPL outing since leaving the Wollongong Wolves, looked their biggest threat.

On the counter-attack, Lee appeared to have made it 2-0 when he found the back of the net, however, his teammate Gaudiosi - who set up the play - was ruled off side.

The game then settled into an arm wrestle, with the White Eagles looking to press hard for their first goal. But the Sharks defence continued to prove up to the task.

At the other end, Horton made a couple of vital saves for the hosts.

Julian Minutillo appeared to have broken Albion Park's scoring drought, but his long-range shot skimmed the bar. With around 15 minutes remaining,teammate Sam Munroe also had a great chance, but his shot was too high.

Pattman continued to look dangerous for Woonona, beating his opponent one-on-one before putting in a cross, which deflected off a Park defender and out of play. From the corner, the ball found Pattman's head, but his attempt went over the bar.

On the counter-attack, Lamberton put through a dangerous ball for Morgan, but his attempt deflected out of play off a Sharks defender. Late in the game, the ball ricocheted to Cody Waller from a corner, but his shot again was deflected away by a Woonona player.

Despite Park's best efforts, Woonona held on to win 1-0 by the full-time whistle.