The Canberra Vikings had a match-winning penalty goal controversially waved away to leave them walking the finals tightrope in the National Rugby Championship.
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Jesse Mogg appeared to have given the Vikings a valuable victory with his 35m attempt after the full-time siren, but it was ruled to have gone wide in the 21-all draw with the North Harbour Rays at Viking Park on Thursday night.
With the crowd in hushed silence, Mogg struck the ball inside the left post to spark celebrations from his Vikings teammates, while even the opposition had conceded defeat.
"It was pretty close, it was inside post at best, but that's the dice you get rolled and you've just got to go with it," Mogg said.
"The official thought he saw it miss, that's his call.
"Even a couple of the [Rays] boys said it was in, but there is nothing we can do about it.
"It's just the basics that are killing us at the moment, and if we don't start getting them right, we may not see finals."
It's the Vikings' second draw in three weeks, elevating them to fourth place on the table on 13 points before games against NSW Country Eagles (home) and Brisbane City at Suncorp Stadium.
The Vikings could also be without captain Fotu Auelua, who will have scans on an ankle injury.
"It's a bit sore, but I'm more devastated for the boys more than anything," Auelua said.
"I'll take more focus on the ankle later on tonight and tomorrow.
"I'm gutted for the boys and wished I was out there.
"They're saying a lot of the pain is from the inside so it's not a syndesmosis yet, probably get scans tomorrow and see from there."
Moments before his crucial penalty goal attempt, Mogg delivered a sensational 50m chase and cover tackle to round up Rays winger Harry Jones, who was bound for the try-line.
The Vikings were reduced to only 13 players inside the final 10 minutes when Jordan Smiler and Lala Lam were both sent to the sin-bin for repeated infringements.
They had earlier opened the scoring through outside-centre Nigel Ah Wong before the Rays hit back to lead 8-5 at half-time.
The two sides went punch for punch after the break, Jarrad Buttler scoring a pushover try for the Vikings before Luke Holmes put the Rays back in front.
Vikings flyhalf Robbie Coleman capped a great game in the No.10 jersey with fancy footwork to give his side the lead with 20 minutes to play, before Jack Dempsey levelled the scores up again.
CANBERRA VIKINGS 21 (Nigel Ah Wong, Jarrad Butler, Robbie Coleman tries; Jesse Mogg 2 cons) drew with NORTH HARBOUR RAYS 21 (Kotoni Ale, Luke Holmes, Jack Dempsey tries; Harry Jones 2cons) at Viking Park on Thursday night.
