By Jordan Lim (@JordanLim24)

Two second-half goals ensured Dandenong City kept its home support happy as it came from behind to draw 2-2 with Whittlesea Ranges at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex on Saturday.

Two goals on the counter attack to Daniel Peluso and Kliment Dimitrieski gave Whittlesea a comfortable lead heading into the break, before an Alex Rojas penalty and Keegan Ziada strike 20 minutes from time ensured the spoils were shared.

With the floodgates promising to open up in the hours preceding, it was a surprisingly bright afternoon, and a surprisingly bright game between 10th and 12th place on the NPL 1 ladder.

It started in that matter as the dangerous Ziada forced a sharp clearance from the Whittlesea defence after a neat chop helped him clear the feet for a shot from six yards.

With wingers Dario Matkovic and the aforementioned Ziada causing all sorts of trouble on both flanks, it looked for all money that Whittlesea would succumb to the pressure.

Their fortunes changed in the 18th minute as what appeared to be a blatant penalty for Dandy was turned down before scoring moments later.

Midfielder Daniel Peluso was on hand to put the visitors in front following a swift counter attack which left the ‘keeper with two men bearing down on him.

The goal didn’t deter Dandenong, which continued to create chances aplenty, only to be halted by the wall that was Anthony Raspudic in goals for the Ranges.

Whittlesea then managed to sneak a second just before halftime, with another classic counter attack allowing the architect Peluso to pick out Dimitrieski unmarked in the box.

It was a case of as you were at the restart, with Whittlesea on the back foot early.

The ever impressive Ziada attempted a first-time shot at the edge of the box, only to see the strike sting the hands of the ‘keeper at his near post.

Raspudic was forced into action again soon after, rushing with confidence to cut off a through ball from the feet of Goran Jozeljic.

For all the clear-cut chances Dandenong had created, its eventual breakthrough came from the penalty spot as Daniel Giogha was adjudged to have handled the ball, despite it being the more questionable of the two penalty decisions.

Nevertheless, Rojas was on hand to slot home from the spot, igniting the supporters who were now in full voice.

In the 69th minute, Dandy had its well-deserved equaliser as Ziada slotted home at the near post after being played through wonderfully on the right.

The two goals seemed to light a spark in Whittlesea, which after 70 minutes finally looked the more dangerous of the two sides.

Marko Stevanja made a pair of crucial saves - a one-on-one opportunity and a reflex save from close range - to maintain the scoreline but in the end neither side could find the final breakthrough.

Dandenong captain John Carroll was left wondering what could’ve been, lamenting the number of squandered opportunities and the softness of the goals that were conceded.

“I definitely think we should’ve had three points today. Pretty disappointing effort defensively and we missed too many chances,” Carroll said.

“[Getting caught on the counter] has been one of our main problems this year, controlling play and then switching off and you shouldn’t be doing that if you’re a senior player.”

Coach Ivan Duzel echoed his captain’s sentiments, while also left to rue the penalty that wasn’t given.

“Obviously we come today under 100 per cent. The chances that we had in the first 25 minutes, it should be game over,” Duzel said.

“With the penalty too, it’s a clear penalty but after that things happen against you. You see, two counter attacks which have come from nowhere and we cop these two goals. It’s disappointing.”

MATCH DETAILS

Dandenong City 2 (Rojas 66’, Ziada 69’) drew Whittlesea Ranges 2 (Peluso 23’, Dimitrieski 44’) at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex [HT 0:2]

Dandenong City: 1. Marko STEVANJA (GK), 6. John CARROLL, 10. Sean SEAVILL, 9. Damien MISKULIN, 8. Dario MATKOVIC (11. Raymond LAY 66’), 19. Nicholas GLAVAN, 4. Steven TOPALOVIC, 23. Goran JOZELJIC, 22. Andres JEREZ (12. Shaun FILIPOVIC 68’), 5. Alex ROJAS, 7. Keegan ZIADA

Unused Subs: 15. Ivica BAHA, 21. Danijel BUHIC, 31. Dennys MARTIN

Yellow card(s): Jozeljic 62’, Topalovic 89’

Red card(s): Nil

Whittlesea Ranges: 1. Anthony RASPUDIC (GK), 24. Rami MUSTAFOSKI, 4. Mark VANGELI, 23. Daniel SOTIROPOULOS, 15. John REALE (19. Damian SILJANOSKI 46’), 13. Adem MUSTEDANAGIC, 18. Nickolas SARBIN, 7. Jarrod DEL MONACO (25. Daniel GIOGHA 63’), 14. Daniel PELUSO, 9. Kliment DIMITRIESKI, 17. Girolano COSTANZA (16. Mile RISTOV 81’)

Unused Subs: 27. James RIZZARDO, 5. Ahmet Turer

Yellow Card(s): Dimitrieski 93’

Red Card(s): Nil