The Goulburn Valley Suns came within seconds of securing their first points since round one of the NPL2 competition on Saturday, a Moreland Zebras goal in the 10th minute of added time consigning the side to a seventh straight defeat.
A miserable start at Moreland’s CB Smith Reserve had the visitors 2-0 down within the first half an hour of play, but the men in orange dug deep to ensure the game did not escape them.
David Musafiri marked his return to the senior side with a tidy goal, pulling one back for his side in the 35th minute after seizing on a defensive error.
Relentless pressure from the Zebras heading into half time came without reward, the Suns battening down the hatches to keep the deficit to just one goal at the half.
A spirited second-half showing was required, and it’s what the Suns delivered.
A number of clear Zebras chances went begging; Suns keeper Zac McLeod keeping his side in the game with a handful of outstanding stops.
Right-back Adam Gatcum, assuming the captain duties in the absence of Matthew Lelliott on Saturday, rose to the occasion in the 83rd minute with a thunderous volley which drew his side level.
The game was far from over however, and a flurry of late drama would have the round eight match-up head deep into stoppage time.
Zebras’ Joshua Knight thought he had his side’s third in the 90th minute, but a serious injury to McLeod after the Suns’ keeper attempted to dive on a loose ball overshadowed the goal.
The referee, after consulting with his linesman, would eventually overrule the goal and deem it a Moreland foul.
With no substitutions left, and McLeod unable to see out the game, the Suns were forced to put an outfield player in goal, with Gatcum electing to pull on the gloves to close out the final minutes.
Zebras’ Ratip Cileli ensured his side had the last laugh by firing a shot from outside the box in the 100th minute, the ball sailing through Gatcum’s hands and into the net to see the home side pinch all three points at the death.
A gutsy away performance will give the Suns a major confidence boost, as will the courageous performances of a number of their young group, namely Gerald Corbo, Zach Dakis, Rocky Papalia and Elijah Brooker, who all fought hard for their side.