The reigning champion Hawks looked down and out when Shepparton scored twice in the first 25 minutes at Truscott Reserve.

The home side dug deep and were back on level terms by half-time following a goal from a corner to Nathan Hamblin and a fine finish from coach Greg Thomas.

Shepparton didn't lie down in the second half. The visitors had a goal disallowed for off-side and then Borough keeper Jaydon Abbott produced a brilliant save to deny striker Yannik Klein his second goal of the game.

The Borough poured on the pressure in the final 20 minutes and, ironically, an injury to Brent Hamblin helped the home side win the game.

Struggling with cramp, Hamblin was moved from his regular centre back position to striker.

With four minutes remaining the ball fell to Hamblin at the top of the box and his strike gave Shepparton keeper Jordan Harvey little chance.

The goal resulted in final-like celebrations from the Borough players.

"What hurt us, and we're not the only team in this boat, is that we hadn't played for four weeks because of all the byes,'' Thomas said.

"It's very hard to get any momentum going and this game felt like we were starting all over again.

"We were slow to start, we had a couple of lapses and they took full advantage.

"It would be easier if we didn't make things so hard for ourselves, but the pleasing thing for us is that we just know how to get ourselves out of trouble.

"At some stage that's not going to happen and we need to start putting together a strong 90 minutes."

The win ensured the Hawks stayed within touching distance of Moama-Echuca and Strathdale.

The Hawks have 17 points, one behind Strathdale and four behind Moama, but Moama has played one more game than the Borough and two more games than the Blues.

Moama-Echuca moved to the top of the table on the back of a 3-0 win over Golden City.

A brace to Ryan Perry and one goal from Cooper Arkinstall sealed the points for the Raiders.

Tatura continued its surge up the ladder with a fine 3-1 win over Shepparton South.

Goals from Jordan Leocata, Thomas Leech and Louis Ruddock ensured Tatura jumped Shepparton South into fourth place on the ladder.

Colts United and La Trobe University shared the points in a six-goal thriller at Strathfieldsaye.

Josh Brown gave Colts an early lead before Jesse Harman, Zac Gilmour and Ben Drechsler found the back of the net to give La Trobe a 3-1 lead early in the second half.

Colts responded strongly, with Jordan Buckley and Tom Christie scoring to tie it up at 3-3.

Both teams had chances in the final 20 minutes to pinch all three points, but they couldn't land the knockout blow.

The highlight of round nine action tn the women's championship was Golden City's thrilling 2-1 win over Moama-Echuca.

Letesha Bawden's second goal of the game in the 87th minute lifted the Rams to their second win of the season and up to 10th place on the ladder.

Epsom also celebrated its second win of the season.

A brace from Shae Powney and an Elli Veale goal saw the Scorpions defeat Swan Hill 3-0.

Eaglehawk had three players score hat-tricks in its resounding 17-1 win over Shepparton.

Charlotte Edlin, Grace Edlin and captain Chloe Parker all scored three goals, while Brianna Hamblin kicked two as the Borough moved into second place on goal difference.

Colts United are in third place after scoring a comfortable 4-0 win over La Trobe University.

Bethany McDonald scored twice to take her season tally to nine, while Megan Williams and Louise McColl added the other two goals.

Strathdale had five individual goal scorers in its 5-0 win over Spring Gully.

Innes Harrington, Bridget Meadows, Brigid McNamara, Eva Harrington and Nicole Ford all found the back of the net.

In the final game of the round, fourth-placed Shepparton South defeated Tatura 4-1.

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