The premiership trophy appeared to be moving across town from Sydney United to Bonnyrigg Sports Club, but when goalkeeper Ali Akbal was caught with his hands on the ball outside the penalty area, the scene was set for a dramatic final minute.
The White Eagles led 1-0 courtesy of a second-half goal to striker Brad Boardman, but Adem Kir stunned the Bonnyrigg faithful when his well executed free-kick found the back of the net in the 95? minute.
The White Eagles now sit five points ahead of Blacktown with two games remaining in the regular season.
In front of their home fans at Bonnyrigg Sports Club, the table-topping White Eagles controlled the tempo for the first 15? minutes, but after a chanceless opening, Rockdale finally brought the Bonnyrigg keeper into the match.
A charging Robert Di Meglio had the first real opportunity of the match, but his powerful drive was thwarted by Akbal, who was fortunate to deflect his save away from the advancing forwards.
Daniel Severino tried his best to bring the modest home crowd to life, but his free-kick curled right into the waiting arms of Suns keeper Ben McNamara.
Chris Tadrosse, who was creating havoc down the left flank, almost supplied Brad Boardman with the perfect cross, but Boardman was unable to direct his header and was forced to watch the ball sail into the stands.
It seemed Bonnyrigg were in control of possession for most of the half, but poor execution on the final pass let the home-side down on several occasions. A dour first-half struggle forced both teams into the sheds with the scores locked up at 0-0.
The game appeared to have lifted in intensity when the players returned for the second-half, and it was Rockdale who had first crack at breaking the deadlock.
Almir Dizdaric did well to hold two players up at the corner before laying back a ball to Adem Kir.
Unfortunately for the visitors, Kir?s powerful shot was deflected by a Bonnyrigg defender and sailed into the crowd.
But it didn?t take long for the White Eagles to hit back. A Severino corner found the head of Nathan Elasi in the box, but the former Melbourne Victory striker?s effort went narrowly over the top of the crossbar.
Milorad Simonovic was the next to try his luck, but his shot from outside the box lacked the direction to trouble McNamara.
But the White Eagles put one hand on the premiership trophy when they celebrated their first goal of the night in the 65? minute.
A low and well directed cross from Tadrosse was too much for the Suns defence to handle, deflecting the ball straight to Boardman who made no mistake belting home from close-range to send the Bonnyrigg faithful into raptures.
The Suns pushed forward in an attempt to keep their season alive, but the White Eagles had an answer to everything the visitors threw at them.
Ali Akbal gave Rockdale one last chance to clinch an equaliser when he was fouled for catching the ball outside the penalty-area, and Adem Kir made him pay when he slotted his free-kick to share the spoils.
Bonnyrigg coach Brian Brown was a dejected man after the match:
?I?m disappointed with the way it finished because I thought we played well,? Brown said.
?The sad part is if we won the premiership tonight, we would have had two weeks to get over suspensions and injuries, but we have to make sure we get the result next week.?
When asked if his side were ready to play finals football, Brown was adamant they could handle the step up:
?I can?t fault the effort or the way we?re playing,? he said.
?Apart from the Bankstown game a few weeks ago, our form has been sensational.?
In the opposition shed Mile Todorovski was experiencing a familiar feeling after his side?s twelfth draw of the season:
?We probably didn?t deserve to win the game, but we didn?t deserve to lose the game,?
?In 18 years I?ve never seen a team with 12 draws.?
After making the move up from Super League to Premier League this season, Todorovski said his team had proved they deserved to remain in the state?s top competition:
?If we could finish some goals we would definitely be in the top five,? he said.
?We?re good enough to be here again next year, but that?s up to the committee.?
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 (Brad Boardman 65?)
Rockdale City Suns 1 (Adem Kir 90? + 5?)
Bonnyrigg Sports Club, Bonnyrigg Heights
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Crowd: 1000 Approx.
Rockdale City Suns: 1.Ben McNamara; 2.Paul Dee, 3.Almir Dizdaric, 15.Josh Lawson, 8.Dominic Hudap, 11.Adem Kir, 13.Baturay Akin, 17.Pece Cvetanovski, 18.Robert Di Meglio, 19.Marino Musumeci, 23.Askin Oygur
Substitutes Not Used: 10.Sash Traicevski, 14.Jeffery Issa, 16.Steven Bosinovski, 21.Sam Awad, 24.James Cain
Yellow Cards: Askin Oygur 44?, Lawson 88?
Red Cards: Nil
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1.Ali Akbal; 2.Paul Cotte, 12.Chris Tadrosse, 20.Wade Oostendorp, 14.K.Takushyma (3.Graeme Forbes 84?), 10.Daniel Severino (17.David Gullo 84?), 11.Shane Webb (4.Michael Brown 87?), 8.Milorad Simonovic, 19.Jamie McMaster, 15.Nathan Elasi, 9.Brad Boardman
Substitutes Not Used: 7.Daniel Laiman, 90.Nenad Vekic.
Yellow Cards: Jamie McMaster 90?+1?
Red Cards: Nil

– Michael Chammas

After round 19 the Suns first year in the NSW Premier League, they have only had 3 losses and a record setting 11 draws which leaves them in the middle of the competition ladder.
Highlighting the importance of the game, Branko Cullina’s Newcastle Jets will be using the clash against Rockdale City Suns in preparing themselves for their first
A-League match of the 2010 season when they take on Adelaide United on the 6^th of August.
Rockdale City Suns coach Mile Todoroski will be looking forward to the clash as it represents the first A-League game for the Suns and players such as Pece Cvetanovski and Ben McNamara will be sure to impress on the night.
Entry is $10.00 adults / $5.00 Concessions and Children Under 16yrs Free.
The Gates will be open from 6pm.
– Rockdale City Suns Press Release

Mile Todorovski?s men have shared the spoils an incredible eleven times in 2010 following their promotion from the NSW Super League competition.
Both teams displayed their aggressive intent from the opening whistle, with a number of hearty challenges setting the tone for what can only be described as a scrappy 90? minutes.
Manly carved out the first chance after 13? minutes following some neat interplay between Matt Sim and captain Joey Schirripa.

Given space down the left flank, Schirripa whipped in a teasing ball to the neat post but Robbie Cattanach was unable to keep his header under the crossbar.
6? minutes later another Schirripa delivery left the Suns back four retreating, only to see Luke Casserly skew the chance wide.
On the hour mark a Schirripa free-kick posed some more questions, with substitute Keith Shevlin snatching at a half chance inside the six yard box.
With 14? minutes remaining Rockdale broke on the counter, with Baturay Akin eventually drilling an effort into the watchful gloves of United goalkeeper Brad Swancott.
On 80? minutes Manly?s Adam Foti had a golden chance to give his team the lead, but produced a weak header from a Jimmy Oates cross.
Approaching full-time Rockdale pushed for a last gasp winner but a retreating Pascal Julliard mopped up the danger.
A frustrated Todorovski vented his frustration at the Suns lack of finesse in front of goal: 
?We played well in patches but just can?t finish,?? he said.

?Strikers are born with an eye for goal, you can?t coach it.

?If we had someone who took their chances I think we would be in the top three or four.?
His opposite Craig Midgley was happy to collect a point:

?Rockdale are an organised team who work hard,? he said.

?We knew what they would offer and with a bit of luck could have nicked one.

?Towards the end we gambled by throwing a few lads up into the final third, but I think a draw was a fair result.?

Match stats

Manly United FC 0
Rockdale City Suns 0
Wednesday, 30^th June, 2010
Cromer Park, Dee Why
Referee: Andrew Best
Assistant Referees: Adam Coombes and Thomas Lee 
Crowd: 100 Approx.
Manly United FC: 1.Brad SWANCOTT; 4.Matt SIM (8.Keith SHEVLIN 53?), 5.Pascal JULLIARD, 6.Luke CASSERLY, 7.Andrew MAILER (21.Chris GALLO 90?), 9.Robbie CATTANACH (19.Brad GROVES 69?), 11.Adam FOTI, 16.Joey SCHIRRIPA, 17.Jimmy OATES, 24.Beau BUSCH, 25.David DODD 
Substitutes Not Used: 10.Craig MIDGLEY, 20.Rhyss KEANE
Yellow Cards: Julliard 44?, Dodd 70? 
Red Cards: Nil
Rockdale City Suns: 1.Ben McNAMARA; 2.Paul DEE, 6.Josh LAWSON, 7.Pece APOLEVSKI, 8.Dominic HUDAP, 13.Baturay AKIN, 16.Steven BOSINOVSKI, 17.Pece CVETANOVSKI, 18.Robert DI MEGLIO (5.Geoffrey ISSA 71?), 19.Marino MUSUMECI (12.Stefan DONEVSKI 81?), 23.Askin OYGUR
Substitutes Not Used: 10.Sash TRAJCEVSKI, 20.Andrija PETKOVIC, 22.James CAIN
Yellow Cards: Hudap 88?
Red Cards: Nil

In a dominant display by Brian Brown?s men, the White Eagles were in complete control from the outset, taking the lead after only 10? minutes via Jamie McMaster. Second-half strikes to Milorad Simonovic, and a second to McMaster, sealed the win against their stern rivals.
In the opening exchanges Todd Brodie ventured forward down the left-flank following an exquisite Mirjan Pavlovic lay-off. The left-sided midfielder?s cross into the penalty-area though, floated towards Pavlovic, was well-taken by Ali Akbal.
Bonnyrigg responded on 4? minutes when Daniel Severino was sent through on goal. The attacking midfielder?s first-time effort, on his favoured left foot, was well held by Vedran Janjetovic in the White Eagles? goal.
Both sides exchanged forward forays in quick succession as Steve Hayes forced Akbal into a save via a set-piece, before David Gullo only just failed to latch onto Brad Boardman?s cross from the right-flank at the other end.
The opening goal arrived on 10? minutes as Jamie McMaster snuck in behind the Sydney United defence. Reds defender Jacob Timpano and Janjetovic failed to swiftly deal with the perfectly floated pass behind the defence, allowing McMaster to toe-poke his effort to the goalkeeper?s left and into the back of the net.
The White Eagles continued their dominance of possession with David Gullo enjoying his afternoon down the left-flank, a constant menace for the Reds defenders. Gullo brought the small crowd onto their feet in the 25? minute as he skipped away from the challenge of two Reds defenders to close in on goal. The attacking midfielder lined-up his cut-back from the byline, though was denied by a well-timed Timpano challenge.
Sydney United?s timid response arrived on the half-hour as Ivo Bosnar released Hayes through on goal ? the final pass though carried a little long as Akbal left his line to thwart any danger.
The Reds nearly drew level in the 35? minute as Pavlovic showed all his strength, with his back to goal, to turn and unleash a powerful low-drive on goal and force Akbal into a fine save down to his right.
Bonnyrigg continued to hold the greater share of possession across the middle of the park, though the Reds had the home-side on the back foot when Pavlovic lined-up a free-kick from 30-metres.The burly striker?s first-time effort carried a real punch though lacked precision as the ball finished well wide of goal.
Mitchell Thompson and Joe Vrkic combined in the 42? minute via a corner with the latter failing to test Akbal with his looping header at the back post.
Bonnyrigg closed the half on the front foot as Boardman headed a Chris Tadrosse cross from the left towards goal ? the striker?s effort finished inches wide of Janjetovic?s goal.
The visitors started the second-half in attacking fashion as Hayes played a delightful ball behind the White Eagles defence and into the path of Petar Markovic. Always stretching to get to the ball, Markovic beat the challenge of Milan Zoric and goalkeeper Akabl, though failed to find the back of the net.
Despite conceding early possession, Bonnyrigg doubled their lead in the 51? minute following a swift counter-attacking move. The White Eagles moved the ball exceptionally well out of midfield before Milorad Simonovic was picked out inside the penalty-area to finish with aplomb past an exposed Janjetovic.
Nathan Elasi almost made an immediate impact when he replaced David Zullo shortly after the hour ? Gullo, arguably one of the best on show was forced to leave the field with a leg injury. Elasi was picked out by a slick Boardman centre from the left, though failed to direct his attempt on goal.
The White Eagles play across the park was a class above the Reds who failed to find any momentum throughout the match, even though the introduction of Ante Tomic midway through the half provided the visitors with an outlet to get forward.
Simonovic nearly doubled his personal tally for the afternoon when he stung the palms of Janjetovic with a long-range effort. The goalkeeper, diving to his left, did exceptionally well to keep the deficit at two.
Moments later, Boardman used his strength, and a sharp turn, to get forward and unleash a venomous strike goalbound ? the effort finished inches wide of the mark.
Sydney United did respond in the 73? minute via defender Jacob Timpano. The Reds new signing tried his luck from distance, and had the White Eagles supporters nervy as the ball flashed past Akbal?s right-hand post.
Timpano?s attempt spurred the Reds into action, and Hayes should have really re-opened the contest on 75? minutes. The attacking midfielder found a yard of space inside the penalty-area, and from an acute angle, was denied by Akbal who parried at point-blank range. The resulting corner saw Glavas rise highest to get his head onto the delivery from the left, though his glancing effort ricocheted off the post before finishing behind for a goal-kick.
Bonnyrigg killed off the contest in the 76? minute as another swift move forward produced their third goal of the afternoon. Jamie McMaster made the most of some static defending as he rounded Janjetovic before slotting home into an open goal to round out the result.
Luka Glavas squandered a late chance to grab a consolation for the visitors, though his view of goal was quickly closed by a perfectly timed Wade Oostendorp tackle.
The White Eagles spared the Reds any further grief when Nathan Elasi squandered a glorious one-on-one chance in injury-time. Sent through on goal by a brilliant Shane Webb, Elasi?s diagonal effort across goal skimmed the upright and behind the goal-line.
In the Grade-20 encounter, Sydney United scored an impressive 3-1 win over the White Eagles.
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3 (Jamie McMaster 10?, 76?, Milorad Simonovic 51?)
Sydney United 0
Saturday, 12^th June, 2010
Bonnyrigg Sports Club, Bonnyrigg
Referee: James Lewis
Assistant Referees: Sarah Ho and Steven Nguyen
Fourth Official: Steven Lucas
Crowd: 250
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1.Ali Akbal; 2.Paul Cotte (C), 5.Milan Zoric (14.Kengo Takushima 68?), 8.Milorad Simonovic, 9.Brad Boardman, 10.Daniel Severino (4.Michael Brown 80?), 11.Shane Webb, 12.Chris Tadrosse, 17.David Gullo (15.Nathan Elasi 62?), 19.Jamie McMaster, 20.Wade Oostendorp
Substitutes Not Used: 90.Nenad Vekic, 16.Stefan Heleta
Yellow Cards: Milan Zoric 36?, Paul Cotte 50?
Red Cards: Nil 
Sydney United: 1.Vedran Janjetovic; 5.Damon Collina, 6.Joe Vrkic (C), 7.Todd Brodie (11.Luka Glavas 53?), 16.Mitchell Thompson, 12.Jacob Timpano, 14.Petar Markovic, 10.Steve Hayes, 21.Sean Mitchell (32.Ante Tomic 53?), 23.Ivo Bosnar, 25.Mirjan Pavlovic
Substitutes Not Used: 9.David Zdrilic, 3.Kyle Ewart, 20.Cem Akili
Yellow Cards: Todd Brodie 15?, Mitchell Thompson 58?
Red Cards:
-By Joseph Carlucci 

The match against A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers will take place Tuesday 22nd June at Cromer Park with first grade kicking off at 7.30pm.
The Under 20’s will be playing on Thursday 17th of June at Cromer Park with kick off set for 7.30pm.
The match against Rockdale City Suns will take place on Wednesday the 30th of June at Cromer Park with first grade kicking off at 7.30pm.
The Under 20?s will be playing on Wednesday 23^rd of June at Cromer Park with kick off set for 7.30pm.
The matches were postponed due to the state of the pitch after rain hit Sydney a couple of weeks ago.