Blacktown City was eventually overcome by API Leichhardt at the Gabbie on Sunday afternoon, going on 1-2, despite a plucky 10-man second-half fight to get full-points rather just than parking the bus.

Blacktown started the stronger. In the 3rd minute Milorad Simonovic turned, in range, and put the ball across the goal but it was cleared. With Blacktown trying to spread the play wide, Simonovic was again in good position but his shot was blocked and the follow up by Mitchell Duke went wide on the right.

In the 18th minute a well weighted through ball by Franco Parisi sent Anthony Hartshorne on his way but he pushed the ball too far in front and Blacktown 'keeper David Bradesevic came out to clear with his feet.

Somewhat against the run of play Stephan Kayes scored. In the 23rd minute, from 35m out he hit a speculator, or miss-hit for it dropped in front of Bradesevic who was dropping to cover. The ball instead took a bobble, and bounced over the sprawling custodian. 0-1

In the 26th minute a typical fullback shot from Tyler Simpson sent the ball, after a cross from the left by Mitchell Duke after a corner on the right, way over the crossbar.

All action until the break with Patrick Gatt forced to clear after a shot hit the post, and four attempts by three Blacktown players to get a shot on target but all blocked.

In the 37th minute APIA's Chris James made a run across goal from the left, and hit a looping shot back to the left. Bradesevic made a finter-tip save.

Blacktown got their reward in the 42nd minute when they hit a very high ball into the area. The APIA 'keeper Terry Dal Broi came out to take it but missed, but instead of his defender, Michael West clearing or heading the ball to his keeper, hit hit it skyward again. This stranded the 'keeper and Milorad Smonovic was able to run through and steer the ball into the net. 1-1

The second-half was akin to arm-wrestling until distaster struck the Demons. Defender Tyler Simpson was red carded, for language it is thought, and then fronted an APIA player on the way off.

It opened right up, with Blacktown not content to hold on, and they appeared at times much more motivated for a win. In the 38th monute substitute Luke Roodenberg, who tried to marshall some form of atatck once he came on, was onto a through ball but couldn't get a shot in.

Neither side was able to open up the other and it seemed like a draw coming up.

In the four minutes of second half stoppage time however APIA substitute Nick Rizzo faced with no options used his experience ro darw some reaction from the Blacktown defence which opened a chink - through which he steered to ball past an unsighted Bradesevic.

A last gasp effort from Roodenberg wasn't enough.

Grade 20: Blacktown City FC 2 - APIA Leichhardt Tigers 2
Grade 18: Blacktown City FC 3 - APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1

Other Premier League results:Sutherland Sharks 1 (Matthew Bailey 48m) - Parramatta Eagles 0, Manly United FC 1 (Matthew Sim 25m) - Sydney Olympic 1 (Richard Luksic 70m), South Coast Wolves 1 (Saso Petrovski 56m) - Bankstown City 2 (Aman Hadid 26/85m, Blacktown City FC 1 (Milorad Simonovic 42m) - APIA Leichhardt Tigers 2 (Stephen Kayes 23m, Nicola Rizzo 92m).