Peter Vossen Builders Matamata Swifts have suffered late heartbreak after conceding an 89th minute equaliser to draw 1-1 against North Force in their crunch NRFL Division 1 relegation stouch at the Domain. To make matters worse, the goal came from a rebound after Matamata keeper Tom Pamment had saved what was a contentiously awarded penalty.

In many ways this match was a microcosm of Matamata's season. The Swifts played some good football and looked threatening going forward, but didn't produce the goals they should have. This, in turn, created unnecessary pressure at the other end, which was followed by a completely avoidable concession that was the definition of bad luck.

Matamata ran the show during the first half, looking sharp and creating a handful of good goal scoring opportunities. Alberto Romero, back in the side after an injury lay-off, hit the woodwork early on, then the Swifts saw Stu Watene have a shot saved by a defender's chest with the keeper beaten.

Thankfully Matamata managed to edge themselves in front eight minutes before the break. Ged Parkinson headed Matamata into the lead after he got himself on the end of a great cross from Watene.

The Swifts rode their luck during the second half, but looked to have got away with it before the late drama. The visitors were able to apply more pressure than they had during the first half as the Swifts appeared to drift away from their game plan. Too often Matamata gave the ball away cheaply, but countered that with some strong and, on a couple of occasions, last ditch defending.

North Force had a player see red in injury time after stamping on Matamata's man of the match, Jamie Baxter. They were lucky not to have already been down to ten men after their left back two-footed substitute Dwayne Signal with still twenty minutes on the clock. It wasn't the first or last time both benches were left scratching their heads about some of the officiating. Consistency and accuracy is all players are looking for...

After this result the Swifts are still alive, but the survival task just got even tougher. Matamata likely needs at least four points in the final three games to stay up and their next two games are against top four sides. The final match, on September 17, is in Whangarei against North Force and that will be one hell of a way to end what has been a difficult season.