95th minute. 98th minute. Preston Lions turned defeat into bedlam

Preston Lions scored twice deep into stoppage time to stun Avondale FC 3-2 in one of the wildest finishes of the NPL VIC season.

After a goalless first half, Yitayew Towns put Preston ahead before new Avondale signing Nahuel Bonada equalised four minutes later. Patrick Wall then appeared to have won it for Avondale in the 86th minute.

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Preston had other ideas on Saturday.

Substitute Jay Romanovski equalised in the 95th minute before fellow substitute Naoki Sutoh sensationally completed the comeback three minutes later, delivering a memorable win for former Avondale head coach Zoran Markovski against his old club amid wild celebrations.

"Mate, in the end what a game,” Markovski told Preston’s club media.

“What a finish. My boys never die wondering. To win this game 3-2, what a massive win.”

Green Gully's survival fight, meanwhile, continued to gather momentum with a 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Bentleigh Greens.

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The Cavaliers made it back-to-back victories, having only recorded their first win of 2026 a week earlier, on the same day they announced three new signings.

League leaders Oakleigh Cannons were held to a 1-1 draw by Caroline Springs George Cross despite Lebib Lebib's 10th goal of the season, but remain one point clear after Hume City drew 0-0 with Dandenong City.

Roland Ballah celebrated signing a professional contract with Melbourne City by scoring twice in a 3-0 win over Altona Magic, with Tobias Servin also on target.

Elsewhere, reigning champions Heidelberg United drew 1-1 with St Albans Dinamo, while Arran Cocks scored the winner as South Melbourne edged relegation-threatened Dandenong Thunder 1-0.