The Reds' first trip to John Crehan Park this season saw them play some determined soccer but the Edensor Park boys failed to convert their chances in the box to points on the board.

United have retained fifth position on 33 points, with the APIA-Leichhardt Tigers sniffing at their semi-finals spot on 31 points, making this weekend's meeting with Manly United a must win for the Reds.

The cracking pace set by both teams in the first few minutes took United midfielder Ivo Bosnar as a casualty when he accidentally clashed with a Wolves player and was treated for a facial wound.

It left United with just 10-men on the field and the Wolves seized the opportunity to send a ball straight into the gloves of United goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic.

A few more tense moments for United fans were met by a stalwart defence before the Reds had their turn to put the pressure on.

Luka Glavas collected a ball lost by the Wolves and made a mad dash for the goal, only to be thwarted by goalkeeper Michael Turnbull's block.

The Reds weren't so lucky when just minutes later the Wolves chipped the ball past Janjetovic, and they followed with another point just a minute before half-time.

The second half put United's defence to work blocking some promising play but it wasn't enough to stop the Wolves, who sealed their 3-0 win in the 60th minute.

United never gave up, desperately trying to even the ledger but were repeatedly blocked by Turnbull.