After just 20 minutes, the Wollongong Wolves' hopes of salvaging something at Marconi Stadium seemed dead and buried on Friday. Down 2-0 away to the Stallions, it looked like a long afternoon ahead for Luke Wilkshire's men.
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But these Wolves refused to give in, fighting back to draw level at 2-2 by the final whistle to claim a much-needed point.
In an entertaining battle, Marconi forward Marko Jesis scored a brace, while Darcy Madden and Stefan Dimosci found the back of the net for the visitors.
It was a fightback that pleased the Wolves coach.
"Obviously (conceding) two disappointing goals made it hard for us, but the character and the attitude of the boys was first class, and it was a great response afterwards," Wilkshire said.
"We made changes and the boys that came in did well. I actually thought that we started the game well, but the first time they went up there, we copped that goal. It was disappointing, but I thought we showed what we're about going all the way through. We will take the point and move on."
After last week's last-gap loss to Northbridge at home, Wolves coach Luke Wilkshire rung the changes as his side searched for their second win of the season.
The Wolves were positive in the early stages, but it was Marconi's Jesic who found the net first in the 10th minute, finishing off a nice assist from Anthony Frangie.
Marconi then doubled their advantage 10 minutes later, with Jesis scoring his second. Frangie again found a hole in Wollongong's defence, setting up Jesic to beat Wolves gloveman Hayden Durose one-on-one.
As the home side continued to press hard, Wilkshire needed his men to lift, and it was Fletcher McFarlane who set the tone with a lovely long-range shot which was parried wide by Stallions goalkeeper Nenad Vekic.
From the corner, the Wolves capitalised on a great set piece, with a lovely step over from Liam Wille allowing Darcy Madden to step up and nail the visitors' first goal to cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 27th minute.
Both sides continued to play positive football in the next 10 minutes, highlighted by a great shot on the edge of the box by Van Elia, which was well stopped by Vekic.
The score remained 2-1 at half time.
After a quiet start to the second half, it was Dimosci who provided a moment of inspiration for the Wolves in the 50th minute. Dimosci was able to capitalise on a loose ball on the edge of Marconi's box, nailing the goal to help his side draw level at 2-2.
It would prove to be Dimosci's last contribution of the day, as he was subbed off for captain Lachlan Scott.
Both teams continued to play positive football, with the hosts in particular pressing hard.
With less than 10 minutes left, Wolves striker Leroy Jennings had looked to secure the match-winner, but Vekic was up to the task
The Stallions pressed hard in the dying stages, but the visitors were able to hold on and force a 2-2 draw and take home a point.
Wilkshire said the result would be a good learning curve for his side.
"We've got confidence. This is a good squad that I've got, I don't doubt that. With the attitude that we've got, and the quality that we've still got to come through, this squad has confidence," Wilkshire said.
"It's always tough here (at Marconi) and they're an experienced team. I've got some young boys here. Young Evan Ball at left back made his debut, he's only been at the club three weeks I think. Brendan Low came on also. We've got a young squad and they played against a good, experienced team. I was very pleased with the performance.
"I think everybody did well. We've got players that hadn't played for a long time who stepped up and did well. Liam Wille and Stefan Dimosci came on and got a goal, which was pleasing. Everybody played their part in the performance. And I said to the boys, we've had a few tough injuries with James Stojcevski being out for the season, Bilal (Belkadi) having a break last week and obviously Thomas James with the stitch up of his suspension. So we need the whole squad, and they're showing that."