Report by Alex Vlahos

Cockburn City showed exceptional resilience to come from behind twice and snatch a 2-2 draw against Stirling Lions in a high-tempo NPL WA clash at Macedonia Park.

In front of a passionate and raucous attendance, Stirling and Cockburn traded barbs throughout with neither able to dominate possession or territory for any significant length of time.

The match began in scrappy fashion, but built as the first half progressed and Yagoub Mustafa went close on 24 minutes when his left-foot shot forced a diving save from Cockburn keeper Luke Radonich.

Jesse Lazzaro shot wide for Cockburn on 30 minutes before Stirling striker Danny Jones opened the scoring with a stunning volley four minutes later.

Jones, left unmarked at the edge of the 18-yard box, volleyed home after Cockburn's defence failed to deal with Mile Petrovski's initial cross.

The second half contained end-to-end action, a bounty of chances going begging for each side as both coaches employed aggressive approaches.

Cockburn got their equaliser on the hour mark when Ryan Pratt broke down the right wing, cut back onto his left, battled past two defenders and slotted home.

Stirling should have been back ahead on 63 minutes when Dhhors Chol headed wide from close range, however they did grab the lead again nine minutes later.

Cockburn defender Julian Teles surrendered possession to Renee Kisesa on Stirling's left wing, before Kisesa cut back inside and centred to Mustafa who struck home.

However, the visitors drew level again on 78 minutes when a Kisesa clearance landed with Daniel Dols, who crossed for ex-Forrestfield striker Hasani Sinclair to head home.

Cockburn pushed hard for a winner and almost had it on 85 minutes, but Sinclair's goal was disallowed for offside.

Stirling Lions coach Antony Benetti lamented his side's inefficiency in front of goal.

"We had two clear headers on the back stick (post) and a lad through on goal early on in the second half, but we just didn't make the most of those opportunities," Benetti said.

"To their credit they were super efficient going other way."

Benetti believes his side has shown vast improvement in recent weeks.

"I think we have shown positive signs over the past four or five weeks, we just need to put the ball in the back of the net."

Cockburn City coach Scott Miller praised his side's endeavour.

"We are missing seven or eight players with injury and had three players battling through cramp at the end there trying to get the winner," Miller said.

"It just shows the character of my boys."

Despite being unbeaten in their past three matches, Stirling Lions remain bottom of the NPL WA ladder with 15 points and host league newcomers Rockingham City in two weeks' time.

Cockburn City sit sixth on 22 points and host fifth placed Balcatta in Round 17.

Star player: Danny Jones (Stirling Lions)

Stirling Lions 2 (Jones 37min, Mustafa 72)
Cockburn City 2 (Pratt 60, Sinclair 78)

Macedonia Park
Saturday July 13
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Adam Fielding
Assistant referees: Harry Bolan, Vetrivel Ravichandar

Stirling Lions: 1. Ryan MONTGOMERY, 2. Mile PETROVSKI, 4. David MOLINARI (70. Renee KISESA 70), 5. Steven McDONALD, 6. Dhhors CHOL, 7. Yagoub MUSTAFA, 8. Dean CUMMINGS, 9. Zdenek BEZDEK (11. Michael WANTEE 68), 10. Danny JONES, 12. Jackson MORGAN (Ajar RIAK 78), 13. Andrew MARANTA
Substitutes not used: 3 Darren O'RIORDAN, 20. Damian DAMAJANOVSKI
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil

Cockburn City: 1. Luke RADONICH, 2. Christopher THACKRAY (7. Ashley ROSINADALE 78), 3. Daniel DOLS (25. David DOS SANTOS 78), 5. Julian TELES, 6. Reuben TRISTAO, 12. Ryan PRATT (9. Anthony SKORICH 85), 14. Hayden STEVENS, 15. Daniel Santich, 18. Adam ANFUSO, 19. Hasani SINCLAIR, 21. Jesse LAZZARO
Substitutes not used: 25. Ben RADONICH
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil