Aidan Rees' last-gasp strike at Jelbart Park sparked wild celebrations among the Greens contingent and sent Matt Campbell's side three points clear at the top.

Wangaratta, who led for an hour, have a game in hand although United's goal-difference is superior by six.

"This feels unreal," a beaming Campbell said at full-time.

"To win with virtually the last touch of the game is pretty special.

"It's fantastic to get the three points and that was all we wanted out of the game.

"To get the buzz from pinching it late, that's just a bonus.

"I've told the boys to enjoy it for the next few days."

Wangaratta came into the game on a nine-match unbeaten run and they showed good early intent under the lights.

The Devils caught United cold with a 15th-minute corner, Adam Burchell's low delivery not cut out in the six-yard box and Dan Kelly pouncing to score.

Burchell looked dangerous every time he picked up the ball in wide areas, his direct running committing defenders and landing a frustrated Jimmy Carr in the referee's notebook.

The tigerish Ryan Curran kept snapping into tackles for the visitors although Ryan Luty was also shown yellow when he mistimed one of his own.

Wangaratta carved the hosts wide open and should have made it 2-0 late in the first half. Jordan Hore's pass split the home defence and Kelly rounded goalkeeper Ryan Withers, although he delayed his cross and the chance was gone.

United were creating little from open play and they survived another scare after the break. Hore latched onto Curran's low pass and found Burchell in the middle, only for Withers to pull off a terrific save with his foot when most in the crowd would have expected the net to bulge.

At the other end, Caleb Martin wasted an equally good opportunity when his downward header from a right-wing cross bounced up and cleared the crossbar.

Wangaratta, by now, had a measure of control in midfield and they came within inches of putting the game to bed when Burchell's low drive hit the inside of the post and somehow stayed out.

But the home side, who lost Withers to injury moments later, dragged themselves back into the game when Sam Brosolo flashed a header past Jaxon Osmotherly, from Gauthier Robin's right-wing free-kick, with 15 minutes remaining.

The draw suited Wangaratta better at this stage but they were to leave empty-handed thanks to Rees' persistence and neat dinked finish at the death.

"I feel like we could have won that game by two or three goals," Wangaratta coach Daniel Vasilevski reflected.

"We had two clear-cut chances and one-on-ones. One hits the post and one the keeper saves with his foot so we didn't kill them off when we had the opportunity.

"Their fitness probably prevailed in the end.

"Around the 70^th minute, they started getting the ball a bit more, started creating a bit and their strengths were long balls into the box.

"One of them came off with a header and towards the last couple of minutes, we had some tired legs out there.

"In the last 10 or 15 minutes, you could see our players were starting to cramp up but in saying that, they were blowing as well.

"You need to capitalise on your chances and be clinical in front of goal. We could have done that but we didn't and that's hurt us."

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The United rooms were bouncing after the game, with the significance of the result not lost on anyone in green and white.

"They've got the game to catch up against Twin City and they have to go and get a result there whereas we've banked that three points," Campbell said.

"It's a huge high, good momentum and we'll ride that, don't worry.

"It's not done but you'd rather be in our position than the other 10 clubs.

"I'm a big one for stats but I've never said it to these guys; our second halves are generally really strong.

"That was the message at half-time - yes, they've pinched a goal which was basically from a mistake, but we've still got that in us for 90 minutes."

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