Redlands United held second placed Gold Coast United to a 1-1 draw in their round 18 NPL clash at Cleveland.
A goal to both teams in the second half meant the competition points were shared on Sunday afternoon at the Compass Grounds.
Redlands were given an early scare when Gold Coast moved the ball into the goal box before firing in a goal bound shot that goalkeeper Ryan Govan saved with his legs.
The game moved from end to end with neither team really worrying the goalkeeper until a five-minute spell from the Red Devils had Coast defending stoutly.
On 25 minutes, Ryo Emoto’s shot was deflected over the crossbar. Two minutes later Michael Lee’s top corner bound shot was tipped over by a diving keeper.
It was a good spell for the Red Devils but Gold Coast managed to keep the game locked at nil all.
Right on the brink of half time, Coast stole the ball right on the back line.
The ball was crossed to the far post where a goal bound header was saved by young Govan, ensuring the teams went into the sheds on equal terms.
It was Redlands who were on the scoreboard first when Fionn Reilly scored his first goal for the club.
A throw in from the middle of their own half was worked upfield through some great team play where Reilly out maneuvered his defenders to place the ball past the keeper.
Redlands continued to press forward, creating further chances with Coast trying to make something happen at the other end.
On 72 minutes, Gold Coast had their equaliser when from a free kick, out wide in line with the goal box, Jarrod Kyle out jumped the Redlands defence to head home Gold Coast’s goal.
The goal set up an exciting finish to the game as both sides continued to push forward seeking the winner but were continually denied.
Jack Skinner caused Coast problems all night and with a minute to go beat his defender out wide and chipped into the middle where Guil Santana’s header went just wide.
The game ended with Redlands pressing forward through Reilly, but the teams had to settle with a point each at full time.
Redlands man of the match went to Jack Skinner.
