In an error-riddled contest, Cary stepped up when the Hoppers needed him most, with two of his five majors coming in a frenetic final quarter.

His 50-metre goal from a free kick near the boundary at the 22-minute mark levelled the scores before Ricky Whitehead iced the game at the 24-minute mark.

Caretaker North Albury coach David Miles was full of praise for the former Murray Bushranger.

“Kristian was sensational,” Miles said.

“He’s going from strength to strength with his energy around the footy fantastic.

“He steps up when the occasion is there.”

Wangaratta had all the momentum when Jesse Smith put it 11 points ahead at the 10-minute mark of the final term, but the brave Hoppers refused to roll over, with Cary and defenders Simon Mitchelhill and Hunter Lloyd leading the fightback.

The Magpies should have had the match in their keeping after Joel Harris, Matt Kelly and Robbie Hicks sprayed shots earlier in the term.

Lloyd kept the dangerous Harris to one goal, Ryan Polkinghorne’s big engine enabled him to run with Morris medallist Jamie Allan and Dan Leslie was one of a handful of four-quarter contributors on the ground.

Miles said North Albury had learnt from narrow losses last season.

“It was a great effort to stand up under that pressure,” he said.

“There were a lot of turnovers from both sides and in the end we found a way to score in a low-scoring game.

“Wangaratta played well and put us under a lot of pressure but the boys persisted and eventually got the reward.

“It’s such a close competition though, we just have to keep working hard.”

Wangaratta defender Daniel Boyle was outstanding with his run and carry from half-back, while Kelly was typically ferocious and Matt Westhoff was dangerous.

The loss leaves the Magpies four premiership points and percentage behind fifth-placed Yarrawonga.