The Macleay Valley Rangers used a get out of jail free card to escape with a 5-3 victory against the Port Saints on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Rangers relinquished a half-time 2-1 lead to head into the final 13-minutes of the contest trailing 3-2.
However, the side managed to find the back of the net on three occasions to ensure they would keep in touch with first placed Wallis Lake.
Saints opened the scoring when a positive attack was rewarded with a goal.
Macleay Valley were quick to answer when Justin Crockford’s cross found Daniel Saul, who tapped the ball into the back of the net.
The Rangers took the lead minutes later and held the advantage heading into the break.
The momentum swung to start the second half with Saints creating the majority of opportunities.
A handball conceded inside the box by Rangers’ captain Paul Thurlow gifted the away side a goal before they took the lead for a second time after a strong counter attack.
With an embarrassing defeat staring them in the faces, the Rangers pressed forward.
The match was level for a third time when Ben Mitchell’s header beat the keeper before the midfielder gave his side a 4-3 lead with a replica goal.
The Rangers put the icing on the cake of the victory when Kurt Riordan scored the side’s fifth.
Needless to say, Rangers coach Keith Morn wasn’t impressed.
“Overall, it was probably our worst performance,” Morn told the Argus.
“There were patches where we were great but too many times we switched off.”
Morn credited Saints for taking the game to them.
“They defended well and pushed hard on the break,” Morn said.
“Once we turned over the ball, they would press forward and catch us off guard.”
The Rangers and Wallis Lake remain the two front-runners of the competition with Port United sitting in third place, eight competition points behind Macleay Valley.
The Rangers travel to face Taree Wildcats this Saturday.
Also making news: