Despite a goal from Nate Jaqua, Cashpoint Altach dropped a 2-1 home decision to Sturm Graz on Wednesday night.

The American striker went his customary 90 minutes at the top of coach Manfed Bender's 4-4-1-1 set.

Sturm Graz went up near the quarter hour after Jakob Jantscher flicked a corner kick into the area for Marko Stanovic. Despite whiffing on his first close range try, the striker managed to score on attempt two from the seat of his pants.

Jaqua tied the game in the 40th minute, running onto a loose ball at the top of the area to send a low one-time drive past away keeper Christian Gratzei.

Altach had the early chances of the second half, but Roland Kirchler's distance try was smothered by Gratzei and Oliver Mattle slid an effort just wide of the far post after being played into good position.

The visitors were gifted an opportunity just beyond the hour mark and Mark Prettenhaler made no mistake for the winner. A wretched clearance attempt from captain Alex Guem pinballed in the area before falling kindly for the Sturm defender to bag his first of the season.

Jaqua nearly tied the game with a late screamer from 18 meters, but this time Gratzei was wise to the American.

Despite the loss, Altach remains six points clear of the relegation place ahead of Saturday's trip to third place Linz.

Scoring
SG - Marko Stankovic 7 (Jakob Jantscher) 14'
ALT - Nate Jaqua 3 40'
SG - Mark Prettenthaler 1 61'

Line-ups
ALT - Mario Krassnitzer; Alen Orman, Daniel Gramann, Alex Guem, Stephan Kling, Karsten Hutwelker, Patrick Mayer (Leonardo da Silva 75'), Manfred Pamminger, Oliver Mattle, Roland Kirchler, Nate Jaqua

SG - Christian Gratzei; Fabian Lamotte, Sebastian Prödl, Georgi Schaschiaschwili, Mark Prettenthaler, Thomas Krammer, Mario Kienzl, Klaus Salmutter (Jürgen Prutsch 58'), Jakob Jantscher (Maio Sonnleitner 90'), Samir Muratović, Marko Stankovic (Ozren Peric 84')