A LATE penalty allowed Gerringong to equalise and share the points with Manyana on Saturday in their match at Gerringong Oval.
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The match was set up to be an important one with both sides vying for spots in the top four.
Both sides traded attacking raids early in the match, with Manyana getting the better of the play.
A Gerringong hand ball inside the box resulted in a Manyana penalty, with the visitors finishing to give them an early lead shortly before half time.
Gerringong responded almost immediately, forcing their way into their half before winning a corner.
A well taken corner from Gary Vian found Brad Boardman in the box, who rose above the pack and slotted it into the back of the net to make it 1-1 at the main break.
Midway through the second period, Manyana found a second, slipping in behind a resolute Gerringong defence to make it 2-1.
Manyana remained solid in defence while both teams fought hard to find the next goal.
Gerringong’s equaliser came late, in the last minute of the game and as a result of a penalty from a high kick in the box.
Vian stepped up to the spot and made it count, leveling for Gerringong to make it 2-2 at the final whistle.
Gerringong coach Craig Farquhar said his side was lucky to come away with a point, but said they need to improve if they want to be competitive as finals near.
“We didn’t play anything like we have been.
“Everyone was flat and we probably needed a wake up call,” he said.
Farquhar said Manyana played hard, fast football which tested his side throughout the match.
“Manyana were pretty much playing to stay alive in the competition so we knew it would be tough, but credit to them, they were excellent.
“They’re the competition champions, and I could see why on Saturday,” he said.
The draw means that Gerringong lose ground on second placed Culburra, who secured three points over Huskisson, but Farquhar said there is still plenty of work to do to stay in the top four.
“It makes second a little bit hard for us now, but we’re just going to be happy to make the top four, because that is still not assured yet,” said Farquhar.
The Gerringong coach noted Ben Dent for a strong performance at left back, Leeroy Boota and also Joel Lockard who was solid between the sticks for the home side.
