A devastating late goal left Gippsland United empty handed at the end of an encouraging display at Baxter Park on Saturday as they were defeated 2-3 by Malvern City.
United produced a brave, spirited performance in front of a large gathering of supporters in Saturday's State League 1 tie.
After equalising with only 10 minutes to go to level the game at two goals apiece, the home side felt assured of a well earned point at home.
A late strike by Malvern in the dying moments of the game, however, broke United hearts again and sent them crashing to another disappointing loss.
Gippsland took the lead after only 14 minutes courtesy of winger Oscar Sheehan, who had returned to the starting line-up following suspension.
After long patches of Malvern possession, the ball found itself safely in the hands of keeper Liam Andersen. Sensing Malvern were scampering back to form their defensive shape, Andersen let fly with an old fashioned bomb forward, setting up an aerial contest for Sheehan to launch into.
After winning the header forward he gave chase and pounced on a misplaced back pass from a Malvern defender to slip the ball calmly past the hapless opposition goalkeeper.
Malvern scored an equaliser at the 30-minute mark by way of a diving header that was not dealt with by the Gippsland defence following a set piece into the penalty area.
The sumptuous in-swinging free kick was duly gobbled up by Malvern striker Stephen MacDonald to put the visitors back into the contest.
A high quality and evenly matched contest ensued and at the half time break United walked up the hallowed steps of Baxter Park ruing the defensive mishap but still showing plenty of belief and appearing confident.
Shortly after half time, Malvern snatched the lead.
A brilliant turn and snap from the edge of the box, again by the Blues' Stephen McDonald, silenced the United crowd and left them with the difficult task of once again finding the net at the other end.
United rallied and pressed hard as the clock ticked away and in the 75th minute, the home team won a corner.
Aerial specialist Cooper Coleman rose like the legendary Australian Rules football legend Roy Cazaly to meet the corner kick mid-flight and power a well-timed header past Malvern's keeper, sending both the team and supporters into a frenzy.
Not settling for the draw, however, it was Malvern who would decide the outcome of this crucial tie and with only five minutes remaining they struck a dagger into United hearts.
A well-placed through ball was pounced on by United's Dylan Dunstall, who tried to put his foot through the ball to clear it to safety only to see his attempt fall at the feet of Malvern's dangerous Sayed Fatemi.
Fatemi composed himself under pressure and bent a perfectly struck shot past the outstretched hand of keeper Andersen from just inside the box to ice the contest and send the visitors home with the points.
In the end it's a tough pill to swallow for United, who did a lot right only to walk away without any points to show for it.
Now 10th on the table at three wins and seven losses, they will turn their attention to this Saturday's home match against Bayside Argonauts, who are third on the table and have not tasted defeat in their past seven matches.
Kick-off for the senior match is at 3pm.
Earlier in the day, United's reserves were brought undone courtesy of three first half goals to Malvern City, the final score 1-3.
Jacob Cheney scored the home side's lone goal of the day in the second half.