PORT Adelaide "spotted" its way through its loss to the Adelaide Crows and made too many mistakes, coach Garry Hocking says.

The Magpies were unable to consolidate third spot on the ladder despite dominating possessions against the Crows at Alberton Oval on Sunday, and only recorded five fewer scoring shots, but succumbed to a 20-point loss.

Hocking admitted Port Adelaide's skills weren't the only thing that needed work.

Its goal kicking also warranted improvement after booting 4.7 compared to the Crows' 8.3 by half time.

"We turned it over and that certainly cost us," Hocking said.

"There were a couple of shots [on goal] early in the game that would've kept us pretty close, but just poor skills and turn overs really cost us.

"Those turnovers are pretty hard to defend and we just didn't come to play."

Port Adelaide produced patches of brilliance, including a desperate attack by the midfield in the third term which had Mitch Harvey and Aaron Young atone for earlier misses in front of goals.

But that was overshadowed by a lacklustre final term where the home side coughed up three early goals, which ultimately put the match beyond reach.

"You can't expect to win a game playing one quarter," Hocking said.

"We played our best footy in the third quarter, but we just spotted our way through the other three.

"Giving up three early goals [in the final term] after being eight points down was disappointing, but full credit to them, they pulled us apart at the clearances."

REPORT: Stinging loss to Crows at Alberton

One positive Hocking drew from the match was the progress shown by Harvey, Dougal Howard and Logan Austin

"Harvey has been able to settle more as a forward and he's been impressive in parts," Hocking said. "It was Howard's second game back and he's got an exciting future and Logan can play either end, so we are seeing improvement which is very important."

Port Adelaide travels to Prospect Oval next Saturday for a must-win clash against North Adelaide.