Whittlesea Ranges have just four rounds of the National Premier League 2 west season to regain top spot.
The Ranges were on top of the ladder for weeks before mixed results in their past five games lost them both a points gap and top spot.
The Ranges won just one of these past five matches, and on Saturday drew 2-2 with Brunswick City.
Coach Vinko Buljubasic said opportunities were missed, including a penalty, and a goal was disallowed in the result at Epping Stadium.
Brunswick City opened the scoring in the 20th minute after a free kick.
Eight minutes later Atilla Ofli scored his 30th goal of the season to level the scores.
The Ranges hit the lead through Tedros Yabio in the second half, before Andrew Le Page scored his second to level again.
The Ranges sit second on the ladder, a goal difference behind North Geelong.
Buljubasic said his players need to get their confidence back, and quickly, with only four rounds remaining.
“We have to keep plugging away and keep on winning, and hope other results go our way,” he said.
“Whether the pressure has got to the players, I’m not sure – you are the hunted once you’re on top.
“They are fit and physically okay, it’s just the mental side.
“That’s a difficult thing to coach, they have to want it,” Buljubasic said.
“But once you’ve been on top, you want to stay there.”
The Ranges face Murray United on Saturday at Epping Stadium.
In NPL, Hume City got the win over Northcote City on Saturday night, despite finishing the match with nine players on field.
Hume opened the scoring in the 14th minute through Craig Carley, and led by that goal at half-time.
Hume goalkeeper Chris Oldfield was the first to get his marching orders after a scuffle off the ball saw him get a red card.
Not long after that Tom Cahill made it 2-0, but that goal was cancelled out just a minute later.
Daniel Clark became the second player to receive a red card in the 87th minute.
Hume City managed to hold out Northcote City to get the 2-1 win.
