A disappointing third quarter allowed the Pioneers back in the game before a mad scramble to the final siren with the Pioneers finishing 10-point victors on their home turf at Golden Square.

The loss has sent the Rebels spiralling to seventh on the ladder.

But it is not all doom and gloom in the Rebels camp at Ballarat's AUSTAR Arena.

North Ballarat coach Chris Maple was pleased his players did not drop their heads, despite Bendigo running out 10.13 (73) winners to Ballarat's 9.9 (63).

"There were good signs for us to get better," Maple said.

"We need 22 contributors though and we had three or four players who dropped their bundle when things didn't go their way.

"Hopefully some of the boys will reflect on that this week."

The Rebels' welcomed back key playmakers Jordan Roughead, Andrew Hooper and captain Nick Suban from Vic Country duties, who each made their presence felt on the field with early goals.

Hooper was the Rebels' top scorer with four majors and alongside strong marking from full-forward Dylan Parish, the Pioneers looked troubled.

Rebels' defenders Daniel Ross-Smith, Bryn Weadon and Oliver Tate tightened pressure on the Pioneers, who were kicking with the breeze in the second quarter.

Hooper and teammate Tim Ruffles kicked two goals against the flow of play and momentum looked to be swinging all the Rebels' way at half-time. Then the Pioneers got a sniff of victory - and the Rebels' errors stacked up.

Captain Suban led the Rebels' charge in the final quarter and his team was back within a kick at the 21-minute mark, but a goal on the final siren emphatically snuffed out the Rebels' hopes of a win.

The Rebels must regroup to keep their finals' chances alive at home against eight-placed Eastern Ranges on Sunday.