These two sides have built up quite a rivalry in recent years, with Williamstown traditionally getting the better of the teams when the match is played at Sebastopol and vice-versa, so this was also going to be a tough clash against a side sitting third on the ladder.

In the first half, the Vikings looked every bit of the team that had taken the competition by storm so far this season.

Owen Turbitt continued his goal scoring form with a 27^th minute opener, but try as they may, the second goal was never coming.

But after half-time a completely different complexion turned over the game. Suddenly it was Williamstown that put on the pressure, leaving the Vikings feeling the heat.

Some strong defending kept the home side in front until Williamstown finally made the most of their opportunities in the 75^th minute with an equaliser.

From the there the visitors peppered away for the win, but the Vikings defence held firm, allowing them to pick up one point.

Coach Corey Smith said the positive to come from the match was getting a point when they probably didn't deserve to.

"We were just poor all game, we just weren't at our best," he said. "For some reason they are a side we always struggle against.

"To be honest, they deserved their point and probably more for the way they played.

"It was two different halves of football, the first half I thought we were fairly dominant, but not at our best, the second half they were completely dominant."

Smith said losing Matt Jamieson to a season-ending achilles injury had left a few holes in the side which was resulting in a lack of balance right now.

"The difference is we've had an X-factor in three or four position positions, but on Saturday we used all three substitutions to stem the flow rather than to effect the game in an attacking sense," Smith said.

"Right now, we've got the talent, but that talent is being played out of position.

"Brayden Baker got back into it and was suburb as a holding midfielder, Pat Karras played through a knock, so he should be at full power next week and

"Stuart Maylett played reserves and it's clear we've missed his presence. He's dynamic in the team and he brings a certain enthusiasm that is hard to replicate."

Smith said he was also a bit disappointed that the Vikings were shifted onto the second ground at St Georges Reserve due to winter grass works currently underway at the venue.

He said the club was keen to get back onto the bigger track next home game.

"It certainly suits us more to play on the bigger pitch, not really sure why they've decided now to put the winter grass in, you would hope it would have been done before the start of the season," he said.

He said despite the result, and last week's loss, he didn't see the team in a form slump.

"At the end of the day, we're on top with five wins, a draw and a loss and so you've got to look at that as the positive," he said.

"If we'd have won yesterday we'd be buzzing with it, but it's where we are at. We need to wipe the last two games from our thought process and move on to next week."

It was a tough day all round for the Vikings with the reserves suffering their first of the season, going down 4-2.

The Vikings travel to face Point Cook in the next round. Point Cook and the Vikings were promoted together in 2017.

"The great rivalry, it won't take a much to make sure we get up for this," Smith said.