An early mistake by United gifted Culburra a dream start, scoring in the opening minute to give the Cougars an early lead.

Striker Jack Miller pounced on a loose ball almost immediately off the kick off and buried it to make it 1-nil.

Culburra controlled play in the first half and created chances throughout before Stephen Gray scored his side’s second goal

Corey Ryan played a through ball that found Gray one-on-one with the keeper, with the striker slotting it to make it 2-nil.

Despite struggling in the first half, United managed to peg a goal back shortly before the break.

Josh Argenti made a run down the left side before cutting inside and hitting a shot that beat the keeper on the near post.

With Culburra narrowly ahead at the break, United coach Trevor Skingle said it was lucky to be that close.

“I don’t think we had a shot in the first half except for the one we scored.

“We just weren’t in it,” he said.

However the second half brought about a revitalised United, with Argenti doubling his tally to even the ledger for the competition leaders.

Argenti again beat the keeper on the near post with his powerful left foot, earning himself a brace.

The score line remained 2-2 for majority of the second half before United broke ahead for the first time in the match.

A well taken free kick by Argenti was fumbled by the Culburra keeper before Shane Button tapped it into the back of the net to make the score 3-2.

It was Culburra who would have the final say in the match, with Corey Ryan stepping up to take a free kick shortly before full time, slotting it home to make the final score 3-3.

Culburra coach, Matt Parker, was pleased with his side’s performance as they build towards their goal of finals football.

“We’re starting to play some good football although our fitness let us down at the end.

They ran over the top of us a bit… but all in all, I was pretty happy,” said Parker.

Culburra face a tough task next Saturday of the in-form Gerringong with a bulk of their first grade squad away for the match.

“Gerringong will be a tough game, they’ve hit their straps,” he said.

“Our reserve grade has been going well so there will be an opportunity for some of them to step up and put some pressure on guys for their position in first,” said Parker.

United coach, Trevor Skingle, said he was happy to come away with a draw despite a less than impressive first half performance by his side.

“You can’t be greedy in this competition, there are no easy games and it’s so close.

“So we were lucky to get the draw because it could have been much worse,” he said.

Skingle praised his side for the way they bounced back in the second half, putting in a solid display to ensure they took a point away from the match.

“They were a totally different side in the second half, they knocked the ball around and it was much more positive,” he said.

Skingle said Josh Argenti, Shane Button and Josh Mackaness were impressive for United, while Parker praised Culburra brothers, Jayden and Kieran Witt for their performances.