It was a tale of what could have been for Murray United against Melbourne City at La Trobe on Saturday.
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The Border outfit recovered from a 2-0 deficit early in the contest to come away with 2-2 draw, but felt they should have had more to show for it.
Murray had 20 shots to 12 during the game, with seven of those on target from each side, but a handful of the hosts' chances were clear-cut and one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
The result was further soured by a hamstring injury to former Socceroo Archie Thompson early in the second half.
Murray found itself behind in the 18th minute when Moudi Najjar found the top right corner after a poor clearance from the defence.
An error from Murray keeper Abdulkerim Koc handed City a second 30 minutes in when he was lobbed for the simplest of goals for Najjar.
Murray wrestled back the momentum when Tom Youngs got his toe to a shot in the box in the 39th minute and were back level when Thompson was on target after he pounced on a loose ball from a corner.
The second half was largely dominated by the home side and Youngs was unlucky not to find the match winner, hitting the post from a cross by Aaron Midon and went narrowly wide in stoppage time, while City missed a chance to pinch it late.
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It was a frustrating result for Murray coach Elliot Jones.
"We walked away from that feeling we should have won," Jones said.
"We certainly created enough chances and really good chances too.
"Both the goals we conceded were directly after clear-cut chances we missed.
"Tommy (Youngs) missed a goal he'd get any day of the week and they went up the other end and scored off what I would call some 'cheap' defending from us.
"We had two guys jump into one player and they put it top corner.
"The second goal Aaron (Midon) had a really good chance and didn't put it away and they scored from another error by us."
Lewis Greenwood was a standout for Murray, continuing his good form since returning to the club.
"We swung him around. He started as a wing back, he went up high on the left and played at number 10 as well," Jones said.
"He just kept working and kept creating."
Thompson is expected to miss at least two to three weeks with the hamstring, while Josh Zito (shoulder) and Alex West (ankle) also sat out the clash and will be assessed midweek.
The ladder after round 18 is: Eastern Lions 36*, Northcote City 32, Bulleen 30*, GV Suns 25, Langwarrin 24, Manningham United 23, Murray United 20, Box Hill United 18, Springvale 17, Melbourne City 16.
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