Whittlesea Ranges were left to rue a missed opportunity against Dandenong Thunder in National Premier League 2 on Saturday night.
The Ranges had the early lead and were in front 2-1 after 75 minutes, with a good chance of winning against a side placed in the top three in the other NPL 2 division.
Ranges coach Vinko Buljubasic had to watch on as it all turned against the Ranges in the final 15 minutes.
The Ranges conceded two late goals to lose 3-2 after dominating much of the game.
“It changed when we had a red card and it lifted the opposition,” he said. “They kicked a goal from the free kick.
“Then we had an injury to our captain and we had to reshuffle our back line.
“We also had a chance at 2-1 to seal the game but missed an open goal opportunity. It hit the bar and would have made it 3-1.
“It was disappointing not to take home any points.”
The loss leaves the Ranges in fifth place on the NPL 2 west ladder after 12 rounds and in a bunch of teams chasing runaway leader Northcote City. A win would have had the Ranges sitting third.
Buljubasic said the next few weeks would be all the more important if they were to stay in that bracket.
He said the new-look side continued to build and their best was still to come.
“We should have at least got a point from the Northcote game if we had a bit of luck, but that’s in the past now.
“There’s at least five teams in the congestion in the middle of the table.
“We need to get victories. We play Nunawading, Sunshine George Cross and bottom side Bendigo in the next three weeks. It’s vital to pick up nine points from our next three games.”
Hume City lost 1-0 to Oakleigh Cannons in the National Premier League with the Cannons scoring the only goal in the 62nd minute.
City sit fifth on the ladder with five wins, two draws and six losses.
And they won’t have much rest this week as they are schedule play their round six FFA Cup match on Wednesday night against state league side North Sunshine Eagles.
