A late fightback by Whittlesea United came to nothing after an extra-time loss to Caulfield Cobras in the nationwide FFA Cup on Saturday.
The Cobras took the lead in the fourth-round match at Thomas Street Reserve with a penalty after 61 minutes and appeared to be cruising into the next round with a second goal with just 12 minutes left.
But United kept fighting and pulled one goal back in the 89th minute.
With plenty of added time because of an injury which required a stretcher earlier in the half, United equalised in the dying stages to force the game into extra time.
The Cobras stepped up a level to score twice more for a 4-2 win and a place in the fifth round.
Last year’s FFA Cup semi-finalist, Hume City, started its 2016 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brunswick City at Broadmeadows Valley Park.
Scores were locked at 0-0 at half-time and the game appeared to turn in Brunswick’s favour when Hume’s Joseph Franjic was sent from the ground for a second yellow card.
Despite being a man down, Hume scored the winner through Hernan Espindola in the 89th minute after a clever pass from Daniel Visevic.
Hume will find out its fifth-round opponent on April 4.
Whittlesea Ranges played its first match in the competition at Olympic Village on Saturday night but made a rapid exit with a 3-0 loss to Heidelberg United.
