In a bizarre finish to the match against Eastern Ranges, the siren sounded after 21 minutes with Leon Higgins’ line-up in front by three points.

Higgins was interviewed by the media and the players celebrated.

Officials then summoned the players back onto the ground and ordered them to play another eight minutes due to a timekeeping error.

This time the Bushrangers defeated Darren Bewick’s side by seven points after Lachie Tiziani kicked the sealer in the dying seconds.

Speaking after the first siren, Higgins described the performance as patchy.

“It was a really inconsistent performance,” Higgins said.

“We were very lucky to win.

“They played at least as well as us and we were lucky to be in front when the siren went.”

After trailing by 19 points at half-time, Eastern Ranges hit back strongly with six unanswered goals.

Wodonga’s Trent McMullan ended the run with a goal and Tiziani followed up just before three-quarter-time to cut the deficit to two points at the final change.

McMullan was a constant threat for the Bushrangers in attack with five goals while Tiziani booted four as a roaming forward.

In defence, Wodonga’s Trent WIlliamson was rock solid while Ben Paton, Mason Marr and James Cousins won plenty of possessions through the midfield.

Fletcher Carroll also had his moments, particularly early.

Eastern Ranges’ spearhead Jake Parente had a purple patch in the second-half to finish with five goals.

Nathan Mullenger-McHugh, Jordan Haynes and Jake McCormack also had their moments for the visitors.

“We probably saved ourselves with a good start in the last quarter,” Higgins said.

“We didn’t start well in any of the quarters until then.

“There is a bit to work on from today.”

The Bushrangers take on Northern Knights at Wangaratta’s Norm Minns Oval on Saturday.