The Red Devils were met by a Moree side with just one loss next to their name and a sizeable home crowd behind them for the Central North Rugby Union round six clash.

The Bulls had charged ahead in the first half to take 33-7 lead before Gunnedah hit back.

The end result saw Gunnedah just fall short with the score finishing at 40-33.

Prop Matt Pardesi crossed for two tries in the loss while fullback Brad Swain racked up a personal haul of 13 points with a try and four conversions.

Outside centre Oscar Hunt scored one try while winger Esava Ravouvou also bagged a try.

Heading into the game, the Red Devils sat just two points behind Moree on the CNRU first grade ladder.

Moree coach Peter Copeman had expected a tough match and that’s exactly what his side got.

“Gunnedah are a good side and our guys rested on our laurels,” Copeman said.

Gunnedah still managed to take home two bonus points in the win and sit in fifth position on the ladder with 19 competition points.

Fourth-placed Narrabri have a three-point buffer on Gunnedah while Barraba-Gwydir also sit on 22 points in third place.

Moree locked down second place on the back of the win and sit six points adrift of the ladder-leading Pirates who have 30 points next to their name.

Meanwhile, in the second grade clash, Gunnedah went down.

The Red Devils were beaten 45-12 in the fixture.

In round seven, the Red Devils will host Walcha at Gunnedah Rugby Park on Saturday.