Both teams came into the match desperate for the win and without key players, so whoever scored first was going to have a huge advantage.

Parkside created plenty of chances from the midfield but the final pass was always a little off because players were playing in different positions.

Atlas was hoping to win to close the gap on Parkside on the ladder but couldn’t find the back of the net.

The match was marred by the late injury to Parkside star Jae Dawes who looks he will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury sustained late in the match.

Earlier in the day, Parkside Rangers, playing with 10 players, lost 3-1 to a well-drilled Concordia side.

Concordia played two of its A Grade players down as it was short on numbers and their class allowed them to open the scoring for Concordia.

Going one nil down sparked Rangers into life and they responded through a nice finish by Shaun Jones.

Concordia jumped back in front as Parkside started to tire, with a couple of defensive errors creeping into its game.

Concordia sealed the win with a late third, despite the efforts of Jones, Jason Howard and Shane McDonald.

Parkside B and Isaroos also fought out a draw, which leaves both in an interesting spot leading into finals.

Parkside looked revitalised playing with 12 players for the first time in a month but was denied from a string of good saves from its opposition goal keeper.

As it would be, an error from Parkside presented Isaroos with a chance to score, which they converted through Ben Robbins.

In the second half, Isaroos gave away a contentious penalty due to some sloppy defending, which Parkside finished.

In the other men’s B Grade match, Atlas and Bulls played out a tight 2-2 draw.

Atlas scored within minutes of the opening whistle, which acted as a wake-up call to Bulls.

Bulls responded when Mitchelle Rogers-Page levelled the scores after finishing off a perfectly weighted Liam Barlow cross.

A cheeky header that floated over the goal keeper saw Kean Richards propel Bulls into the lead 2-1.

Bulls lost key defender Jeremy Dempsey after a run-in with Atlas’ keeper, which heaped more pressure onto the rest of Bulls’ defenders.

Atlas would eventually equalise after sustained pressure and the Bulls’ scrambling defence couldn’t resist anymore.

Bulls coach Shawn Major took the result on the chin and knows his team can improve.

“You can’t complain too much about the result, as we came up against a very strong side without some of our key men.”

The day’s other game was a forfeit as Isaroos couldn’t field a team against Concordia.