Labor has taken a beating in the Illawarra, losing the seats of Heathcote and Kiama, while Wollongong hangs in the balance.In Keira, ALP candidate Ryan Park pulled off a spectacular win over rugby league great John Dorahy, despite predictions of a nail-biter.In Shellharbour, unionist Anna Watson comfortably retained the seat for the ALP, replacing Lylea McMahon who retired.In a night of drama in Wollongong, Mr Bradbery appeared to claim victory but then backtracked as results changed.‘‘I cannot believe this. This is one of the most incredible moments of my life,’’ he told a gathering of about 150 people at his campaign office in Flinders St, urged onto the stage after a TV prediction of victory.He later clarified that it was a ‘‘thank you’’ speech, as sitting ALP member Noreen Hay bunkered down at the Grand Hotel in the heart of Wollongong with a small party to crunch the numbers.Ms Hay was ahead on primary votes, but the ABC election website forecast the Uniting Church minister would win by a slender margin.The primary votes run parallel to polling published a week ago by the Mercury, which also forecast Mr Bradbery would win.Retiring Keira MP David Campbell was among those to congratulate Mr Park, 33, on his win. With 70 per cent of votes counted, Mr Ryan had established a 54-46 two-party preferred margin.Mr Campbell was ecstatic at the result in one of the state’s hardest fought contests.‘‘There were times in Ryan’s campaign where he said ‘I need you to give me a hand’. And I had this saying with him - ‘I’m yesterday’s hero, you’re tomorrow’s champion. And whatever you need me to do to give you a hand is what I will do’.’’‘‘I know this community can recognise who’s doing the work and who’s coasting along... Ryan’s doing the work for weeks and months as opposed to the Liberal candidate coasting along, [which] has been recognised by the community, in my view.’’Two former government ministers were among the Liberal scalps - Matt Brown in Kiama and Paul McLeay in Heathcote.Mr Brown was refusing to concede defeat, but with the majority of votes counted Shoalhaven councillor Gareth Ward had established a huge 16-point lead, 58-42 on a two-party preferred basis.Mr McLeay, who resigned as a minister after an internet porn scandal, was further humiliated in a drubbing in the northern Illawarra seat of Heathcote. For much of the night he struggled to match the primary vote of the Greens candidate.