Peel continue to put themselves under pressure as well as the top five after failing to take full advantage of an injury-ravaged Perth.

The Demons were on eight-game losing streak and featured four debutants.

Yet they were challenged by a plucky Demons and left frustrated by their own inefficiency in front of goals and going inside 50 in their 11.13 (79) to 7.7 (49) win at Mineral Resources Park.

The margin should’ve been more than 30 points considering they had 23 extra inside 50s, but the Demons’ defence held strong under pressure.

Forced to make eight changes on Friday, the Demons’ were further hindered by the loss of Andrew Fisher (illness) and Jordan Busher (back) on the morning of the game.

Mitch Browne was pulled from the reserves at half-time to replace Busher after he hurt his back on the way to the game and matched up on half-back Nathan Wilson.

Peel were dominant in the first term but inaccuracy on goal meant that despite holding the inexperienced Demons goalless, they led by just eight points at the first break.

Perth’s midfield couldn’t stop the trio of Mitch Crowden (32 disposals), Darcy Tucker (32 and two goals) and Neil Erasmus (22 and a goal) who were pumping the ball inside 50 fast and frequently.

The Demons’ defence was holding up led by Haydn Busher (24 disposals and 11 marks) and they were repaid late in the second term when they kicked three goals in five minutes to give the home side an unlikel leads at the main break.

Perth ruckman Dakota Baldwin-Wright (16 disposals and 20 hit-outs) stood tall against the duo of Lloyd Meek (18 and 32) and Josh Treacy (12 and nine), doing everything he could to draw the ruck battle in a monumental effort.

Peel’s class came to the fore once again in the third term as they finally began finding targets inside 50, kicking four goals to none to open up a strong lead.

For all their dominance, the Thunder still left the door ajar for the Demons and they brought the effort needed to make Peel sweat.

An early goal to Christian Martin reduced the margin back to 14 points and the undermanned Demons swung the momentum, bringing plenty of tackling pressure as the rain again began to hit the ground.

Their lack of class and experience was proving costly as they turned the ball over in costly situations, which hurt them as a turnover in their backline opened up the chance for Tucker to kick his second goal to all but seal the crucial victory.

SCOREBOARD

PEEL THUNDER 1.4, 3.7, 7.7, 11.13 (79)

PERTH 0.2, 4.2, 4.5, 7.7 (49)

Goals – PEEL THUNDER: B Bell 2 E Hughes 2 B Middleton 2 D Tucker 2 N Erasmus N O’Driscoll J Sears. PERTH: H Quartermaine 2 J Avery A Davis R Clarke C Martin S Stubbs.

Best – PEEL THUNDER: D Tucker M Crowden N Erasmus E Hughes J Sears L Meek. PERTH: H Busher M Taylor S Perkusich D Baldwin-Wright C Byrne R Clarke.

Injuries – PERTH: A Fisher (illness) and J Busher (back) replaced in the selected side by K Nicholas and M Browne.

Umpires: J Fry C Jones D Johanson. Crowd: About 500 at Mineral Resources Park.