A dramatic late double from Ngongotaha AFC's Mitchell Miller gave his team a 2-1 advantage to take into the second leg of the NRFL playoffs against Lynn Avon United next weekend.
The Villagers, playing at Stembridge Rd, had been trailing right up until the 90th minute of the game yesterday after conceding a first half headed goal from United's striker Hugh Sorby.
But when Ngongotaha's Harlem Simiona was brought down in the box in the final minute of the game Miller confidently stepped up to smash home from the penalty spot.
Spurred on by noisy home support, the Villagers continued to press and Miller was able to capitalise on poor United defence - pouncing from close range in injury time to score his 54th goal of the season.
The inform striker, who had been frustrated in front of goal on numerous occasions before his double strike, said he always had belief his side would push on for the win in the dying stages of the game.
Ngongotaha dominated possession in the opening stages of the match and could have taken the lead in the first minute when Miller was released through on goal but he shot straight at United keeper Phillip Watts.
The home side continued to press with two of the best chances falling to captain Dave Haua who headed wide from corners on both occasions.
United striker Sher Siraz Ali looked the most dangerous player for the away side with impressive strength and control on the ball, but he was isolated up front for the majority of the first half.
However it was a perfectly placed Ali cross, after he had beaten the oncoming Ngongotaha keeper James Towers wide on the right, that set up Sorby, to powerfully head into an open net just before half time.
After the break the Villagers attacked from the whistle and Josh O'Sullivan had an opportunity to pull his side level five minutes in, but his close range shot didn't have enough power to beat Watts.
The away side played a very deep defensive line breaking up Ngongotaha's usually flowing passing style of play and Sorby and Ali continued to pose a threat up front.
But United were content to run the clock down and it was this mentality which eventually led to the home side's break through.
After patient build up play in midfield, the ball broke to Simiona on the edge of the box and his clever darting run brought about a cynical tackle from a United defender in the last seconds of normal play.
Miller calmly stepped up and buried his penalty - smashing the ball just beyond Watts' fingertips in the left corner of the goal.
The striker, who was the top scorer in the WaiBOP Premiership this season, said the key to his successful spot kick was to opt for his "usual" placing.
"With the penalty I have never felt that much pressure before," Miller said.
"I just thought if I go for the same place I usually do it would go in."
Mitchell Miller scored both late goals to give Ngongotaha the win in their first leg NRFL match at Stembridge Rd. Photo/Ben Fraser
With momentum in their favour, Ngongotaha went in search of a late winner and when United were unable to clear their own penalty area, the ball fell to the feet of Miller who rounded the keeper to slot home from close range in injury time.
"The second goal was a bit of a scramble really and I just managed to put it past the keeper and put it into an empty net," said Miller.
United were left stunned and as pandemonium broke loose from Ngongotaha players and supporters alike when the final whistle was blown shortly after an away player was red carded by the referee for refuting the final result.
Ngongotaha's coach Shane Davis admitted he was "mightily relieved" with the score-line but said his side must be more clinical in the second leg - away at Parrs Park next Saturday.
"I'm just glad we found the back of the net because we created so many chances," he said.
"It really didn't look as if it was going to go our way because Lynn Avon set themselves up very well in the second half.
"This is a great advantage to have but we have to be more clinical. This is the main message every player must take from this game."
Despite the result United's assistant coach Peter Sellars said he was "fairly happy" and insisted his side are quietly confident ahead of their final match.
"The lads have given their all and we are quite happy to go away with the 2-1 score," he said.
"It's only half time for us and we come back next week. We have a few players coming back so it's a different ball game.
