Monaro Panthers FC take three goals and three points away from Tuggeranong United FC clash

However, a silver lining for United during its 3-1 loss to Monaro Panthers FC on Sunday came thanks to 17-year-old Mark Richards.

Richards' individual brilliance opened the scoring in the 13th minute, goalkeeper Jakeb Wiseman earning himself an assist in the process.

United coach Mitch Stevens said it was an amazing feat for the young gun in his third game in the NPL.

"He scored his second goal in three games," he said.

"So you sit there going, one thing that's been on display this year is just how good some of our young kids are."

The home side held onto its 1-0 lead until half-time but lost Conor Nolan to a red card during injury time just before the interval.

The depleted side came out strong in the second stanza but began to crumble in the 67th minute.

A quick throw-in from Monaro's Timothy Bobolas caught the United defence sleeping and allowed Stephen Domenici to find the equaliser.

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Monaro coach Frank Cachia said the reason it took them so long to get on the scoreboard was thanks to the efforts of Wiseman in goal. "In the first half we created more chances and in the second half, we created a lot of chances on target," he said.

"Wiseman was outstanding, he really kept them in the game, I thought he played great. Having said that I was really happy with the guys that came off the bench because they made a real difference for us."

United dropped another man and were down to nine players for a spell in the game due to a sin bin. Subsequently, Monaro's second goal soon arrived.

In the 76th, Domenici sent in a corner to find Tom McLachlan. McLachlan's shot was blocked by Wiseman but fell at the feet of Joshua Calabria, who netted for a 2-1 lead.

Monaro sealed game at the death with its third blow. United pushed all of its players up, including the keeper, for a 95th-minute free kick.

The visitors cleared the ball and the speed of new recruit Alessandro Pena Alcazar got him to the ball first for a quick break. He pushed it into the box from halfway and Sebastian Woods found the open net from a tight angle to make it 3-1.

Monaro picked up 18-year-old Alcazar in the mid-season transfers, alongside James Wilson, something Cachia said was huge for the club.

"We lost a few players in the early part of the season, so bringing in first grade-quality players in Alessandro and in James Wilson, who was out injured today, it makes a big difference. The last six games we've won three, drawn two and lost one so it's very, very tight and we've been playing catch-up since the first round," he said.

Cachia's side moves up the ladder to sixth but will need to dig deep if it wants to make finals.

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