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A ninth minute goal from attacking midfielder Greg King proved decisive for the home side, who overcame the absence of leading goalscorer Matt Thurtell to dominate their northern opposition for extensive periods.
Having capitalised on a North Queensland error at the back, King found himself one on one with Razorback’s keeper Keiran Gonzales, and while his initial attempt was superbly saved, the rebound proffered a second chance that the Strikers man duly converted for his third of the campaign.
It would be the only goal for the night though as the North Queensland central defensive pairing of Robin Edwards and Ben Richardson consistently thwarted a barrage of Brisbane crosses and corners while Gonzalez confidently cleaned up the scraps.
One of the few balls to escape the pair’s diligent defending came on 23 minutes when winger Jonti Richter’s cross to the far post was narrowly missed by the head of a lunging Nick Robinson.
Later in the half Richter had an opportunity to head one home himself, but despite being expertly picked out at the near post his effort was woefully inaccurate, going wide of the target from barely 6 yards out.
The Razorbacks were not without their chances in the first half either. Their brightest moments coming when Sam Herlihy got on the ball.
It was Herlihy’s pin point pass from the right in the 41st minute to a surging Jae Eurell that provided the Razorback’s best opportunity to level the scores, but Eurell’s subsequent shot went soaring over the cross bar.
North Queensland did come back into the contest after the break, as the speed of substitutes Reece Edwards and Aidan Naughton added much needed spark to their counter attacking surges, although Brisbane still continued to dominate possession.
The Strikers should have extended their lead just after the hour mark following a purple patch that generated a raft of chances. Michael Angus’ run on goal was the clearest cut of these but his low shot from 8 yards was well held by an outstretched Gonzalez.
Their search for a second intensified further in the final ten minutes when midfielders Sean Burke and Chay Hews both shot wide from the top of the area. While the referee also turned down a boisterous appeal from the home side for a handball in the Razorback’s box.
At the other end, a final flurry from an isolated Reece Edwards provided some late excitement but ultimately couldn’t rescue an unlikely point for the visitors who find themselves well down the ladder, but with three games in hand, will still consider themselves a chance for a semi final spot.
Meanwhile, Strikers will go top of the table only temporarily, with title favourites Sunshine Coast to play Sunday and a bye for the Brisbane club next weekend likely to bring them back to the field.