Babina Noko were held to a 2-2 draw away to AmaZulu at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Tuesday, a result that left them in fifth place on the league standings.
Tinkler’s side have 35 points from 23 games, three less that Usuthu in fourth and four behind third-placed Kaizer Chiefs.
Sekhukhune twice came from goal down to draw their midweek game, with Thapelo Matlhoko on target on 22 minutes, ahead of a 41st minute Olerato Mandi leveller.
Nkosikhona Radebe added a second for AmaZulu on 50 minutes and Bright Ndlovu secured a share of the spoils with goal after 76 minutes of the match.
“We will continue fighting to try and achieve that objective of finishing third,” Tinkler said on SuperSport after the game.
“What’s important now is how we finish; we still have seven games left, and potentially we can still reach our objectives.”
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“Our second half of the season has not been good, whether at home or away,” added Tinkler.
“Somewhere along the line we lost the momentum, and I think it was after the AFCON break and that obviously affected us.
“Second half of the season, truth be told, we are not good enough. I take responsibility for that as head coach. We have to find ways to win football matches, and we are doing that.”