"Harbour then applied more pressure and we couldn't get out of there. It was a good learning experience. At the same time we are making progress ... we aren't getting the hidings we got last year," Ozich said.
He also agreed the Magpies outside defensive systems were exposed far too often and the hosts scrummaging wasn't consistent enough.
"There needs to be a bit more detail with the clarity of our roles with that outside defence."
Magpies captain and No 8 Gareth Evans, who earned his blazer for clocking up 1000 first class minutes for the Magpies during the game, echoed Ozich's comments.
"We fell asleep after that injury. We played well for 40 minutes during our Ranfurly Shield challenge last week. We played well for 60 minutes today. Now we need to push for an 80-minute game."
Evans said his troops got held up in the tackle far too often during the second half.
"We need to fight more to get to the ground."
There were still plenty of positives for the Magpies. One was the admirable first class debut by first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie.
He ran the ball well and took out three defenders with a clever pass which sent winger Jonah Lowe away for his 31st minute try.
Another huge positive was the reduction in the missed tackle count - 20, 15 less than recorded in the shield challenge against Waikato.
The fact no more major injuries were added to the Magpies' already lengthy injury list was another plus.
Fullback JJ Taulagi deserved his player-of-the-match award. The Magpies midfield pair of second five-eighth Pasqualle Dunn and centre Stacey Ili had their best game together.
Evans and lock Michael Allardice were the best of the Magpies forwards. Allardice made 13 tackles and it was his line break which put the hosts on the front foot and allowed McClutchie to throw that memorable pass to Lowe.
Evans had an average gain of 4.1 metres off eight carries and beat three defenders.
North Harbour fullback Shaun Stevenson, who had an average gain of 8.9 metres off 10 carries, and captain and hooker James Parsons were close behind Taulagi in the tussle for player-of-the-match honours.
Parsons celebrated his 100th appearance for his team with two tries and it was appropriate he should kick the final conversion of the match.
Powerful No 8 Hapakuki Moala-Liavaa was another busy forward for the visitors. He beat five defenders and made two line breaks with an average gain of 6.6 metres off 13 carries.
After hosting Northland on Wednesday night the Magpies will complete their "Storm Week" with a match against the Premiership's defending champions Canterbury in Christchurch on Sunday.
They will complete their round-robin fixtures with an October 5 home game against Manawatu and October 11 away match against another Premiership outfit in Tasman in Nelson.
It's easy to see why a win against Northland is crucial.
Match highlights
■Heartstopper: The 22nd-minute tackle from Magpies hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes on North Harbour prop Mike Tamoaieta. It was a beauty.
■Turning point: The injury break while North Harbour centre James Dargaville was attended before the final quarter. The Magpies hardly fired a shot after play resumed.
■Player of the match: Magpies fullback JJ Taulagi. Landed all six of his attempts at goal, a good try, an average gain of 7.1 metres from his 10 carries, four tackles, five defenders beaten and two line breaks.
■Scorers: Hawke's Bay Magpies 34 (Kianu Kereru-Symes, Jonah Lowe, JJ Taulagi, Brad Weber tries; Taulagi 4 cons, 2 pens), North Harbour 51 (James Parsons 2, Matt Duffie, Shaun Stevenson, Tevita Li, Bryn Gatland, Harrison Groundwater tries; Bryn Gatland 4, James Parsons cons; Gatland 2 pens). HT: 17-15.
