Darebin Falcons showed their fighting qualities in Sunday’s 4-4 Women’s State League Division Two draw with Yarra Jets.
Finding themselves 3-1 down after a lacklustre first half, the home side produced a stirring comeback to lead 4-3 with about 10 minutes to play, only to concede an equaliser just before the end.
The Falcons were unusually sluggish in the opening 45 minutes and had only a goal for Lauren Proudfoot to show for their efforts at the break.
Some stern words from coach Tracey Hodge sparked the players into action, led by a fired up Kathryn Sparks, who netted a 20m thunderbolt to reduce the deficit.
Niddy Morgan then lobbed the Jets keeper to level the scores, before Sparks was on hand again to score at the second attempt, giving the Falcons an unlikely lead.
Stand-in keeper Leanne Hamilton, who had taken over in goal from Ang Mackie at half-time, produced several outstanding saves to have Darebin seemingly heading for victory but the Jets struck late in the game to secure what was probably a deserved share of the spoils.
This Sunday, the fifth-placed Falcons travel to Western Suburbs, who sit eighth in the ladder.