By: EVA WORDEN (@EvaJWorden)

Photo: PETER WEAVING / Bendigo Advertiser

A brave performance from a 10-man Bendigo City side has earned it a point over in-form Whittlesea Ranges, on a cold Saturday afternoon at Truscott Reserve.

After a goalless opening stanza, Matthew Cundari broke the stalemate for Whittlesea, but it took just five minutes for Bendigo’s Corey Slevin to level the scores.

Both teams took time to find their feet in a match that had a cagey opening.

Bendigo’s Riley Dillon was looking dangerous in attack, only to find himself shut down time and time again by a fierce Whittlesea defence.

Bendigo’s afternoon was made much harder when at 38 minutes Keegan Smyth received a red card after an altercation giving away a penalty, and leaving the hosts with just ten men.

Atila Ofli stepped up to take the resulting penalty, but it took a dive from Bendigo’s Gianmarco D’Oria that defied gravity to pull off the save and deny Whittlesea the lead.

Mario Piranio had one final chance before the half to put his side in the lead with a volley, but the sides went into the half at 0-0.

The teams came out with renewed vigour and enthusiasm.

Whittlesea was more dominant after the half as Giosue Tolomeo, Ardo Mustadangic and Cundari all had their chances, but saw each opportunity go wide of the goal.

Whittlesea’s persistence paid off when Cundari tapped the ball into the goal after a corner at 73 minutes to break the stalemate.

But it took just five minutes for Slevin to restore parity with a magnificent chip, bringing Bendigo level at 1-1.

Slevin had a chance to earn Bendigo the points shortly after, when George McHeileh and Daniel Purdy combined to set Slevin up with the opportunity, but a brilliant save from Whittlesea keeper Gian Tapia deflected the ball onto the roof of the net.

Despite escaping with a point thanks to Tapia's save, Vinko Buljubasic's charges will be left ruing their missed opportunity against a 10-man Bendigo City side.

Next week Bendigo City FC visits St Albans Saints SC and Whittlesea Ranges host Brunswick City SC.

Match Details

Bendigo City FC 1 (Slevin 78’) drew with Whittlesea Ranges SC (Cundari 73’) at Truscott Reserve

Bendigo City FC: 1. Gianmarco D’ORIA, 2. Riley DILLON, 3. Jordan SEETO, 4. Daniel REES, 5. Rylan SADLER, 7. George McHEILEH, 8. Karl SLEVIN, (9. George SLEFENDORFAS 73’), 10. Greg THOMAS, 11. Corey SLEVIN, 14. Keegan SMYTH, (18. Daniel PURDY 82’), 21. Prince QUANSAH

Unused Subs: 19. Josh DWYER, 20. Finn Huzzey, 30. St.Ares Gilardi

Yellow Cards: Slevin 23’, Sadler 29’, Seeto 88’

Red Cards: Smyth 38’

Whittlesea Ranges SC: 1. Gian TAPIA, 2. Pavle DURKIC, 4. Mario PIRAINIO, 6. Andrew TAYLOR, 7. Matthew CUNDARI, 10. Matthew IULIANO (16. Ridvan SAGLAM 77’), 17. Stefan BARICEVIC, 19. Ardo MUSTADANAGIC, 20. Tobias HAEGELE, 23. Giosue TOLOMEO (9. Daniel PELUSO 69’), 25. Atilla OFLI (15. Matther KUNDESKI 90+3’)

Unused Subs: 5. Daniel SOTIROPOULOS, 27. Jarrod HILL

Yellow Cards: Ofli 21’, Piranio 78’, Durkic 82’, Baricevic 87’

Red Cards: Nil