After trailing by 27 points at quarter-time, the Bushies took full advantage of the breeze in the second term, kicking six goals to one, including four for Albury’s Zach Sproule, to seize a one-goal lead at half-time.

It was an arm-wrestle for the entire second half, before the Bushrangers found themselves two points in front in the dying minutes of the game.

They weren’t able to ice the clock though, with the Rebels finding space to push the ball forward for a late goal, stealing a four-point win in the final seconds of the game.

The loss sends the Bushrangers back to fourth on the ladder, and talent manager Lee Fraser said there was plenty for the young side to take from the loss.

“We responded well after a slow start, but the boys will be pretty disappointed with the way the game ended,” Fraser said.

“Obviously the game needed to be slowed down, we needed to get the ball down the line, so that will be a good lesson for some of those bottom-age players.

“For 2½ quarters we played some really outstanding footy, but we can’t have mistakes like what we saw on Saturday repeated, and I’m confident the side will respond positively to that.”

North Albury’s Josh Minogue was best on ground for the Bushrangers, booting three goals rotating through the midfield and forward line, while Wodonga’s Mitch King played his best game since returning from a knee injury last month.

The Bushrangers will travel south for another important fellow top-four team clash with the Geelong Falcons this weekend.

For 2½ quarters we played some really outstanding footy, but we can’t have mistakes like what we saw on Saturday repeated, and I’m confident the side will respond.