IF ROMA Cities coach Sam Bartley can take any positives out of his side’s heartbreaking last-minute loss to the Bulldogs, it’s this: the Gladiators are a real threat this season.

Despite being their own worst enemy at times, a possession-starved and sometimes error-ridden Cities still piled 28 points on Chinchilla and led the game up until the final 30 seconds.

Led from the front by captain Brendan Grulke, the Gladiators had a prime opportunity to avenge their devastating grand final loss to the Bulldogs last year, only to have it slip through their fingers in a 32-28 defeat.

According to Bartley, his players were doing the same thing with the ball at crucial moments.

“Simple errors cost us the game and our injury list is growing,” he said.

“It was just simple errors at key moments, like dropping the ball just in front of your goal line.

“We’ll improve on that performance.

“We had our opportunities and just simple mistakes at key times cost us, and we had the chance but didn’t come away with the cookies.”

While the loss was a return to Earth after their dizzying performance against Miles the week before, Bartley said he sensed the defending premiers were not invincible.

“I definitely think they’re vulnerable but I’ve only seen two teams this year,” he said.

“We did well when we controlled possession.”

Roma Cities as a club came away from Chinchilla with two wins from four, including a romping 40-10 victory in the reserve grade.

The under-18s, who needed under-16s to back up for their game, also scored a brilliant 28-18 win, while the understrength U16 side went down narrowly.

The men in blue won’t have to play again until May 15, when they face the Red Bulls in Wallumbilla.