BENDIGO Gold led by as much as 21-points in the second quarter but couldn’t hold off a fast-finishing Essendon on Good Friday.

With more than 2000 people packing into the QEO for the game, the Bombers came out on top, winning 11.25.91 to Bendigo 9.9.63.

The Gold started strongly with captain Steven Stroobants booting the first goal of the day.

For the third consecutive week Gold won the first quarter.  

Bendigo pressured Essendon causing the Bombers to turn over the ball.

Gold, making the most of their opportunities kicked three goals to one in the second.

But after halftime Essendon scored eight goals to three, to win the game by 28 points.

Bendigo coach Aussie Gold said his team’s effort was good.

He said the fact that players and coaches were disappointed after the game was a good sign the club was heading in the right direction.

“Last year it was about being competitive and hanging in there whereas this year we just lost to a power VFL club by less than five goals and we are disappointed,” Jones said.  

“We are not taking our improvement for granted; we just continue to strive to get a win.”

The Bombers ended up scoring a massive 25 points for the game.  

“Some people will look at that and think maybe they should have won by more and they certainly missed a couple but we put a lot of pressure on them,” Jones said.

For the Bombers Alistair Kefford kicked four goals.

Jones praised the performances of his ruckman who battled hard against AFL listed player Tom Bellchambers.  

The ruckman played for more than half the game, kicking a late goal in the final term. 

He also described the performance of Stroobants as super and said Jack Sheahan had another stellar game. 

Jones said his team would learn a lot from the game.

"After the game I told everyone we had to be proud of these boys and their character," he said.

"These boys are beaten by bigger bodies but they front up each week with their heads held high."