Western Force coach Richard Graham was a proud but shattered man after watching his injury-hit side let yet another Super Rugby game slip through their fingers on Friday.

The Force, minus key backs James O'Connor, Willie Ripia and Brett Sheehan, were at their disciplined and courageous best as they built a shock 28-20 lead heading into the final 10 minutes of their match against the Hurricanes in Palmerston North.

But like so many times this season, the Force had victory snatched from their grasp, with Hurricanes five-eighth Aaron Cruden playing the role of heartbreaker this time around.

With time running short, Cruden dished off two magical offloads to set up the final two tries of the match, splintering a spirited Force defence to set up the 34-28 win.

Graham praised his side's fighting effort and said his team had plenty to be proud of despite the loss.

"I've never wavered from that belief that we're heading in the right direction," Graham said.

"It just shows the character of the group.

"It hasn't been the year we've wanted it to be but we've come over here, short turnaround, a lot of changes - particularly to our inside backs - and we almost got away with a win."

The game marked a coming of age for former Sevens player James Stannard, who starred in his role at five-eighth in the absence of Ripia.

the 28-year-old, who plies his trade as a reserve scrumhalf in Super Rugby ranks, set up two of the Force's three tries, with his deft passing and opportunistic runs defying his limited experience in the key playmaker's role.

And with Ripia still in doubt for Friday's clash with the Highlanders in Dunedin, Graham said Stannard was a chance to once again don the No.10 jersey.

"Oh mate he's definitely a chance to play 10 given the injuries we've got to our inside backs," Graham said.

"If those boys aren't fit I'll definitely play him there again.

"I probably didn't have an expectation on him (going into the Hurricanes match).

"I know he's a very good footballer, I know he's comfortable in that position having played a lot of Sevens, but the boys gave him a lot of options and as a result we asked a lot of questions."

Graham had his fingers crossed that O'Connor, Ripia and Sheehan would be given the green light to resume against the Highlanders.

The Force have posted just three wins and two draws from 13 games this season.

But that record doesn't reflect their consistent competitiveness, with the Force a genuine threat in all but a couple of games this season.

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