Belconnen United scored twice in the final 15 minutes to snatch what may be a valuable point against the FFA Centre of Excellence.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Blue Devils moved to equal top spot of the Capital Football National Premier League with a 3-3 draw at the AIS on Saturday.
David Kemp's goal in the 75th minute and Jason Ugrinic's second for the game eight minutes before time ensured the Blue Devils join Canberra Olympic with 10 competition points.
Canberra FC is a point behind, but has two games in hand ahead of Sunday's clash with last-placed Tuggeranong United at Deakin Stadium.
The FFA COE has collected seven points from its four games to show Australia's most promising under-17 footballers will be a match for any side in the league.
"They are a high quality, well organised outfit and they are going to steal a lot of points from a lot of teams," Blue Devils coach Dean Ugrinic said.
"The improvement in that group from this time last year is ridiculous. You see some of the things they're trying to do in the national set-up and I think for us to take away as coaches, it shows what we need to aspire to."
Cameron Joice gave the FFA COE the lead after 15 minutes before Ugrinic equalised from the penalty spot early in the second half.
A Benjamin Van Meurs own goal and a Nicholas Panetta strike gave the youngsters a two-goal cushion.
The Blue Devils secured the result despite having a make-shift look about them.
Exciting talent Ross Costanzo will miss the rest of the season with a calf injury, while Danai Gapare and Cam Reinhart were late scratchings.
"I've come to realise we've got a pretty special group of players," Dean Ugrinic said. "They keep gritting it out right to the end, so I always feel there's that opportunity for us to come back."
Olympic moved to equal top spot with a clinical 3-1 win against Woden-Weston FC at Woden Park on Friday night.
Striker Philippe Bernabo-Madrid continued his excellent form since moving to Olympic from arch-rivals Canberra FC.
Bernabo-Madrid opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the sixth minute before doubling his tally midway through the first half.
Olympic got its third through Tim Bobolas, with Nikolas Popovich getting a consolation goal for Woden-Weston FC.
Monaro Panthers will host Gungahlin United in Sunday's other game at Riverside Stadium.
