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Coach Erick Mombaerts admits his Melbourne City side needs to improve mentally after losing to a 10-man Sydney side in their top of the table A-League clash.

Melbourne City coach Erick Mombaerts says his inconsistent side needs to get mentally stronger and will struggle to catch Sydney FC in the race for the A-League Premiers Plate

Second-placed City missed a glorious opportunity to make inroads into the six- point lead Sydney had over them going into Sunday's away clash with the Sky Blues.

They took a 1-0 lead through a well-worked set-piece goal to Connor Metcalf, shortly before the Sky Blues had Socceroos right back Rhyan Grant sent off.

Adam Le Fondre equalised and then let City off the hook by missing a penalty just before halftime.

City didn't capitalise on Tom Glover's save and they had several off target shots at Sydney's goal in the second half, before Kosta Barbarous made them pay with a slick finish a few minutes from the end.

Mombaerts told his players at halftime he wanted them to challenge Sydney more out wide and make more penetrating runs, but he warned them the Sky Blues might create the odd chance.

Coming off last week's loss to the competition's other glamour club Melbourne Victory, the demoralising defeat raised more questions about City's mental toughness.

"Today when we were 11 against 10 we had to do more to win," Mombaerts said.

"Yes, maybe we have to get one step to get up mentally it wasn't enough.

"But I know It's not easy so we need to work on this."

City have struggled for consistency since their remarkable 4-3 away loss to Brisbane

They have conceded 13 goals in their last six games, winning just twice in that period.

City haven't strung together successive victories since early November and trail Sydney by nine points and are 11 behind them on goal difference.

"For us it's very important for us to prepare for the next game and to win, maybe it's not important to focus on Sydney," Mombaerts said.

"It's very difficult now to come back (and catch Sydney)..

"We'll see if we're able to, but to do this maybe we have to win games in a row."

Captain and left back Scott Jamieson missed Sunday's game through illness.