It lasted 739 minutes, but all good things must come to an end.
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Hanwood's streak of not conceding a goal was halted as Lake Albert sent a clear message they'll have to take the Pascoe Cup off them with a 2-all draw at Rawlings Park yesterday.
A superb long range strike from Lake Albert's Duncan Brodie in the 75th minute, which hit the cross bar before bouncing just over the goal line, was enough for the defending champions to share the points.
Both teams had chances to claim all three points in the top of the table clash. Hanwood's Brad Clark sprayed a penalty over the crossbar early in the second half, while the Sharks also endured some near misses.
While Hanwood remain unbeaten and three points clear of Lake Albert atop the table, the Sharks would have come away with belief the Griffith newcomers can be beaten when it counts.
Lake Albert scored first off a James Trevaskis header in the 19th minute, but the 20-year-old failed to finish the match after suffering a right ankle injury late in the second half.
Ten minutes before the break Andy Gamble equalised for the visitors with a nicely taken first-time strike from just outside the box.
Eighteen minutes into the second half Hanwood took the lead through an own goal after Lake Albert's keeper failed to grasp a corner kick.
But Brodie's heroics ensured the Sharks keep right on Hanwood's toes on the table.
Lake Albert declared before the game they wanted to send a message to Hanwood they won't have it all their own way in the title chase, which they accomplished.
Brodie said he doesn't normally celebrate his goals, but felt obliged to after his stunning equaliser.
"When the ball came at me I thought 'I can't not shoot'," he said.
"I gave it a crack and when it hit the ground (off the crossbar) I wasn't sure, but the crowd erupted.
"It was a hard contest from both teams, very physical out there."
Brodie said they now have belief Hanwood can be toppled should they meet in finals.
"We went out there to put some goals on, and show them as undefeated champions last year we're to be reckoned with," he said.
"I think we were unlucky not to put more away, we created a lot of opportunities.
"Unfortunately we didn't get ahead, but it's nice to put the first couple of goals on them for the season."
Gamble said Hanwood relished the tough encounter and "will be ready" next time they meet.
"It was more physical but we can go up ten more levels," he said.
"The local comp (in Griffith) we played in was like that as well, we're used to it and I wish we could do that more often.
"The way football's going its a bit soft, but I'd love that every single week. We shake hands afterward and as long as everyone's on the same wavelength, it's perfect.
"I'm loving playing in this competition, a lot of new teams to challenge us and the lads we've come up against have been very friendly."
In other matches, Young saved a penalty strike midway through the second half to edge Tolland 2-1 at Rawlings Park on Sunday, South Wagga beat Cootamundra in the cellar dwellars battle 3-2 while Leeton-Henwood Park was deferred.
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