BENDIGO City has put in its best performance of the season to nearly upstage National Premier League 2 West ladder leaders Northcote City.
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After conceding a goal in the 20th minute, Bendigo City stunned the crowd at John Cain Memorial Reserve when Lachlan Beever netted an equaliser in the 27th minute.
Hungry to add their second point of the season, Bendigo City defended stoutly, while creating several chances up forward.
But a goal to Trent Manicas in the 82nd minute delivered Northcote City the lead for the second and final time, denying Bendigo City what would have been a well-deserved point.
The close-call should fill players with confidence ahead of this weekend's round 17 clash against second-place Moreland Zebras.
The Zebras won the teams' previous clash 7-0 in round two.
Defeats have been rare for the Zebras, who defeated Sunshine George Cross 2-1 on Saturday.
They have eight wins, five draws and two losses from 15 games this season.
Meanwhile, Bendigo City's under-18 team has broken through for its first win of the season.
Daniel Browell's goal in the 85th minute gave City a morale-boosting 1-0 win over North Geelong Warriors at Elcho Park in Lara.
Bendigo gets a chance to add a victory against Werribee City at Epsom Huntly Reacreation Reserve next weekend.
In other junior matches, the under 16s narrowly missed getting their third win of the season, falling to the Wariors 3-2.
Lachlan McRostie scored his second goal of the season for Bendigo City.
Joshua Woods was the lone scorer for the under-15s in a 8-1 loss to North Geelong.
A hat-trick of goals to Angus Chapman proved pivotal in North Geelong's 5-2 under-14 win over Bendigo City.
The Warriors also won the under-13s 5-0 over Bendigo City.