Set 309 second-innings runs for victory the Comets were bowled out 12 short of their target when Ben Oakley picked out Michael Hill at deep cover. Ashton May was left stranded at the non-striker's end, unbeaten on 76.

Comets captain-coach Mark Higgs was disappointed not to take the points but happy with his team's ability to match it with the competition leader.

''There's a lot of characters in our team and people who you like to play cricket with and as soon as you've got that, the rest of it seems to fall into line,'' Higgs said.

''We've had a shout in every game so for guys who don't have contracts, and we've got some talented guys with us, we're competing really well and really putting a good stamp on the game. There's plenty of talent in the room.''

Comets openers Tom Thornton and Sam Miller kicked off the run chase with a 112-run stand, before Miller fell to Jon Holland for 58.

Thornton went on to record a well-constructed 104, but when he fell with the score at 211 it allowed Victoria to force its way back into the match.

May battled hard from the middle order as his teammates fell around him, but the Comets eventually ran out of wickets.

The outright win was Victoria's third in as many starts, which moved it well clear at the top the Futures League table.

Spin-bowler Jon Holland finished the innings with four wickets, mirroring Wednesday's effort to finish the match with eight scalps.

Despite Holland's solid return, Higgs said it was the Comets' inability to create enough fruitful partnerships that ultimately cost his team.

''He [Holland] bowled a couple of decent balls, but he had a lot of rough to play with I thought he'd bowl a lot better actually,'' Higgs said. ''If you lose wickets in twos and threes at a time it's going to affect you, especially with your top order.

''It's all about backing yourself on the last day and unfortunately things didn't fall our way today.''

The Comets next host South Australia at Manuka Oval in January.