Two goals to Jordan Figon in the final five minutes saved Rockdale City’s undefeated start to the NPL 1 season as the Suns came from behind to earn a 3-3 draw with Manly United on Sunday.
Rockdale had led through Harris Gaitatzis after 25 minutes but goals to Scott Balderson and Dejan Pandurevic as well as an own goal saw Manly cruising at 3-1 with 20 minutes to play.
But the Suns refused to go down easily at Cromer Park and fought back to steal a point in the dying stages.
Firstly, Figon intercepted a sloppy back pass to steer home before a poorly defended corner ended with Figon heading home the equaliser.
Rockdale player-coach Paul Reid hailed the character of his side in not giving up.
“We knew it would be a tough game so to score late on to get a draw shows the character we have in the squad,” he said.
"I still thought at 3-1 down we were still in the game. I'm really proud of the boys, we are still unbeaten as well.”
Rockdale could have gone top of the league with a win over Manly after they downed Parramatta 4-1 in their rescheduled round three fixture at the Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale last Wednesday night.
Now second on 18 points, one behind leaders APIA Leichhardt, the Suns travel west to face struggling Bonnyrigg on Saturday night.