An electrifying burst in extra time gave the Capalaba Bulldogs three points even they admitted they did not deserve when they downed a valiant Brisbane Force 3-2 on Sunday.
Force always looked the better team, controlling most of the midfield play and boosted by what seemed a rock-solid defense.
In one way they had only themselves to blame, as they missed a number of chances, especially in the first half when they could have been four goals up except for some inexcusable lapses.
Capalaba was helped by outstanding performances by Jake Kallis, Josh Harding, and Jaipur Palace Man of the Match Sam Roper.
Matt McNab looked like putting the Bulldogs in front early on, but the Force defense wrapped him up.
Roper, McNab, Josh Sherwood and Steve Leslie also created a good move, but could not get through that back line.
It was the same result moments later when Sherwood was fouled, and Roper took the free kick then combined with Steve Homer only to meet another brick wall.
Sherwood came close when a lucky break gave him a clear run but he, too, could not get through.
Force had a great chance to pull ahead, but the well-directed free kick was headed wide, then they missed again when their attack gave the ball away in the 18-yard box even though they had the numbers.
Mar Thompson, too, foiled them with a great tackle in front of goal when Force had players to spare.
Roper, Kallis and Homer created a solid attack but the final shot was nowhere near on target, and another solid move initiated by Kallis and Paul O'Brien ended with the ball going straight to the keeper.
Harding set up the first goal when he broke up an attack deep in Capalaba territory, passing to Leslie who waltzed through the opposition.
His shot hit the post, and Homer snapped up the rebound.
The Bulldogs had a chance almost from the kick-off when Roper took possession quickly, and soon after Thompson did well to set up a strong attack but was called off-side.
Carelessness by the Force front line cost them a number of good opportunities as they, too, were flagged offside, then yet again a chance went begging after a clever build-up.
Immediately after the break the home side pulled level when the Capalaba defense was too slow, and luck was against them soon after when another high-speed attack was wasted.
Force pulled ahead from a penalty, and should have wrapped up the game soon after when they missed another golden opportunity.
They kept up the pressure, dominating the midfield, Leslie putting an end to another strong attack.
Leslie was instrumental in two raids soon after, forcing a corner kick in one move then combining with McNab only to see the final shot go wide.
Force failed to make use of two quick corners, and missed again when Capalaba gave the ball away deep in their own territory but the shot went over the bar,
Keiichi Ueda came on with 15 minutes to go and was involved straight away, one move with Homer beaten by the defense.
On the 90-minute mark it looked all over for the Bulldogs, until Kallis made a brilliant elusive run through the field and crossed to Homer, who slotted the ball home.
Then, three minutes into extra time, Sherwood set up Ueda perfectly, and to the delight of supporters he finished off with a great shot.
New player Marco Adaggio came on with 26 minutes to go, and this week's break will give him a good chance to settle in.
The reserves match was a cake-walk, with Force having no answer to the hard-hitting Bulldogs to go down 6-1.
Danny Catanzaro's fine effort won him the Jaipur Palace Man of the Match award, the goals shared by Luis Ruiz (2), Alex Warrilow (2), Josh Peacock, and Nic Broomham.
Only one point behind Wolves and with a better goal difference, they are still in with a chance of making the top four.
The Bulldogs are at home on August 9, when they take on Albany Creek. Kick offs are 3.35pm and 6pm.
