FOOTBALL
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A Matt Tesoriero goal in the final minute of stoppage time gave Port Kembla a valuable 1-1 draw with Dapto Dandaloo on Sunday and all but ended the Fury's title hopes.
Needing a win to keep the pressure on Bulli at the top of the ladder, Tesoriero's last-gasp strike cancelled out Joe Crowley's second-half goal to ensure the spoils were shared.
It leaves the Fury three points behind Bulli with an inferior goal difference heading into the final round.
"I am a bit disappointed going 1-0 up. We were great with football ability for about 60 or 70 minutes and we just lapsed in the last 20," player and stand-in coach Noel Spencer said.
"I am proud of the boys but disappointed that we can't go into next weekend with something to play for and win the league."
The Fury had looked on track to make Bulli work right to the finish when Crowley got on the scoresheet.
After some strong lead-up play from David Hartas, Crowley couldn't miss from inside six yards to hand the Fury the lead.
But with the clock winding down, the Fury switched off at the back and allowed Tesoriero in on goal to fire home the equaliser.
"The character of the team shown through, like last year, we just kept going and going and going. You wear teams down," Port coach Stuart Beedie said.
"I think all 14 players I used today really put it in for the club. I am really pleased with how this second half of the season is going and I am looking forward to finals."
Port were well worth the draw after coming close on numerous occasions in the second half.
A spate of free kicks from Mitchell Scazzeriello tested Blowes while Matt Floro twice hit the frame of the goal.
With 15 minutes remaining, Floro shot across the goal and hit the post before nearly scoring what would have been the goal of the season when his bicycle kick found the crossbar.
Fury veteran Alvin Ceccoli also found the woodwork in spectacular fashion in the first half.
The former A-League defender fired a speculative left-foot attempt from long range which had David Poeira beaten but couldn't find the net.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Wollongong United handed Cringila Lions the biggest defeat of the season in a 10-1 annihilation on the back of six goals from Robbie Shields.