The Redbacks are seven points off second-placed Sebastopol Vikings, but seven points clear of fourth-placed Ballarat.

But it nearly dropped what would have been a costly game on Sunday, as it trailed 3-2 after 87 minutes.

In fact, Buninyong scored the last three goals of the game, but it was the eleventh hour breakthroughs at the 88 and 90-minute mark that were most memorable.

Coach Francis Janssens was proud of his team’s efforts and said his group dug deep to get the win.

Nathan Collins found the back of the net to level the scores, before Edwin North, who has 12 goals this season, gave the Redbacks the lead two minutes later. With seven rounds remaining, Buninyong is well-poised and will take on ladder leader Warrnambool next week.

In other results, Warrnambool hammered North 12-3 – the Rangers boasting seven goal-scorers as North’s Alex Worthington scored a hat-trick – while Forest defeated Ballarat 4-1.

In the women’s division one, Warrnambool flexed its muscle against fellow top two contender Ballarat Eureka Strikers. A 4-1 victory to the Rangers sees it open up at six-point buffer on Strikers.

Ballarat North United were far too strong for Bacchus Marsh, winning 12-0.

While Ballarat defeated Forest 1-0, it was a much-improved display by Forest who had lost 9-0 and 6-1 in its previous two encounters with Ballarat.