Altona Magic missed a chance to make up ground on ladder leader North Sunshine Eagles in men’s state league 1 after the two played a 1-1 draw at Paisley Park Soccer Complex on Saturday evening.
The Magic started the day in second place, four points in arrears of the Eagles.
But they coughed up second place to Western Suburbs and slid down to third on a day that promised so much but delivered little.
It was tough for the Magic from the moment the Eagles hit the back of the net through Adriyan Bektash to take a 1-0 half-time lead.
Magic veteran Slave Bozinovski returned fire in the second half to ensure his side earned a share of the points.
The Magic will host a huge local derby against Altona East Phoenix at 5.30pm on Saturday.
Fifth-placed Phoenix will enter as underdogs, despite picking up four out of a possible six points from their past two games after a 2-2 draw with Westgate on Friday night.
In state league 2, Goran Jozeljic continued his fine finishing for Yarraville Glory, but it was to no avail as his side went down 4-2 to Banyule City at Yallambie Park Reserve.
Jozeljic scored both Glory’s goals to make it three in two games.
The Glory, five points behind league leaders Moreland United, visit relegation-threatened Westvale on Saturday.
In state league 3, Altona City maintained its hot form with a 1-0 win over Lalor United away at Uren Reserve, City’s goal coming from Damir Marusic.
City has won four of its last five games to sit clear in second spot and will have a chance to close the gap on ladder leader Hoppers Crossing when they meet in a top-of-the-table blockbuster at Grange Reserve on Saturday.
Williamstown suffered its third defeat in succession, 3-1 to North City Wolves at Wallace Reserve.
In state league 4, Melbourne City was back to its best in a 5-1 thumping of Keilor Wolves at Edwards Reserve.
