STUART Baxter questioned the mental fortitude of his team, hinted at a growing tiredness but said he refused to make any excuses after the champions lost top spot in the Absa Premiership standings.

A shock home defeat to plucky Mpumalanga Black Aces on Wednesday has handed momentum over to Mamelodi Sundowns in the title race with a sombre Baxter looking almost resigned to a disappointing finish after his side lost at home for a second successive game.

"It's a massive disappointment. It's a performance that didn't reflect the sort of character and composure and determination you really want to show if you want to be champions," said the Chiefs coach. "Technically, I thought we played okay but lacked in our finishing. I thought our mental skills were poor and we lost our discipline for their goal. All in all, not a very pleasant evening's work."

But he insisted the title race was not yet done, even if Sundowns now have a three-point advantage and arguably the easier run-in with the finish of the league now exactly one month away.

"If we find that little bit of mental strength that was missing tonight, stop worrying and can mobilise the sort of performance we've shown over the last 18 months, then I think we'll be there or thereabouts at the finish. We need to do that," Baxter added.

Chiefs' strikers, notably the league's leading scorer Bernard Parker, missed some glaring chances before the stoppage time winner for Aces from Miguel Timm.

Baxter blamed the pressure of the occasion for the misses.

He is determined that Chiefs to put the game behind them and look ahead to their next league clash away at Polokwane City on Wednesday.

"There's no point me going and throwing cups around the dressing room.

"The players know they are going to have to find it within themselves to give performances that are more conducive to a team that wants to win the championship," he said.