South Hobart scored three times in the final 15 minutes as they produced a stirring comeback to defeat Hobart Zebras 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at Darcy Street. Trailing 2-0 after 76 minutes Zebras looked in complete control before South Hobart rallied late to produce a stunning victory.

It was a cagey opening to the game with few chances early on, with the first meaningful opening falling to Adam Mckeown who got the better of Gorrie before firing his shot straight at the keeper. AlexWalter had the first for South when he played a tidy one-two with Sculthorpe before firing tamely at Mercuri.

Zebras then took the lead through fortuitous circumstances. Sanders played a dangerous ball over the top for an onrushing Walsh. A despairing Quaile lunged at it to try clear but succeded only in directing the ball past his own keeper and into the back of his own net.

The goal seemed to put some wind in the Zebras sails and they controlled the rest of the half, testing out the South Hobart defence with a constant stream of balls into the box, looking to make the most of their aerial advantage. Scoring chances were at a premium however and the game reached half time with the score 1-0 Zebras.

Shortly after the restart Zebras doubled their advantage. A perfectly placed corner from Sanders was nodded home by the towering Luke Huigsloot.

Nick Morton could have pulled one back  just prior to the hour mark when Lewis got the ball caught between his legs allowing Morton to pounce on it but his shot clattered into the post.

The game was ebbing and flowing but Zebras seemed in control before, with time winding down, Morton redeemed himself with an incredible goal that would prove the catalyst for the South Hobart fightback. From a scramble following a corner, Morton produced a bi-cycle kick from close range to provide hope for his side.

It certainly inspired his side as they found a new energy and the atmosphere around Darcy Street suddenly buzzed to life, sensing there was something to be taken from the game.

Morton was then unlucky not have won a penalty when he went down in the box but minutes later it mattered not when Jayden Hey tripped up Jacob Brennan giving Kobe Kemp the chance to level it up from the spot.

He made no mistake as he dispatched the spot kick and suddenly South had the scent of blood in the water with Zebras limping towards the finish line.

South had all the momentum and they duly scored a third and match winning goal three minutes from full time. A lobbed ball to the edge of the box drew a sea of bodies and when it spilled out the back, Alex Walter was there to run onto it and smash it into the bottom corner.

It capped off a remarkable 3-2 victory that could have significant ramifications on the title race. It leaves South Hobart a point off the leading pair of Olympia and Devonport and Zebras now sitting four points back. It is the type of win that can build confidence and inspire the playing group onto greater things.

For Zebras it will be a blow that they could be left reeling from. With the game firmly in their keeping they let slip three points and have missed a massive chance as they turned to water in the final 10 minutes of the match.

South Hobart Coach Ken Morton

“It was a great comeback from the guys, we played terrific throughout a very physical encounter, it was a tough battle but I always thought we had enough quality, if we could string enough passes to get something from it.”

“Once we got the one goal, we were back in it and they started to die a little and we were able to kick on and take our chances.”

Hobart Zebras manager Peter Savill was clearly frustrated with his side and admitted he wasn’t in a good following his sides capitulation.

“Yeah it’s a tough one to swallow, but full credit to South Hobart.”

“We just let ourselves get pegged into our own 18 yard box.”