"You've got to take your chances," said a disgruntled Richard Murray after Caversham spurned two golden opportunities to beat Roslyn-Wakari in the Footballsouth Premier League on Saturday.
Neck and neck with Dunedin Technical in the championship race, the 0-0 result at Tonga Park cost Caversham two points, as Technical cruised to a 2-0 away win over Queenstown.
There would be plenty of Roslyn supporters who thought their team might have won, as coach Colin Thom's side had large slabs of possession in what was an enthralling match.
It was a counter-punching contest, as both sides had spells of control, and Caversham made a searing start, switching play around and seeking gaps in the Roslyn defence.
But with keeper Peter Evans in fine form, and Chris Fernando, James Watson and the newly returned Tom Conner in tigerish mood, there was little space in front of Roslyn's goal.
On the bounce, Roslyn was well led by target man James Govan, Mike Sannum found space on the left, and Damian Foster scurried around, snapping at heels and forcing errors.
Jude Fitzpatrick, possibly Caversham's best player, was a pillar in defence, closely supported by Craig Ferguson and Matt Bruin.
Both sides had breakaways that should have produced goals. Sam Mepham's sheer energy got him clear but stand-in keeper Callum Flaws madea fine diving save.
Caversham's Harley Rodeka equalled Mepham's eternal motion and also launched shots, but the match began to look like a draw between equals.
Then, late in the game, two clear-cut Caversham chances at open goals were hacked wide, first by Ben Hawkey, then by Tyler Collings, and Murray held his head in his hands.
"They will remember those misses for a long time, but at least they were in good position, and available," Murray said.
Roslyn coach Thom praised his side's energy.
"Sam Mepham was inspirational, centreback Chris Fernando was immense and Phil Craik showed his ability to get forward and turn defenders," he said.
One suspects the Tonga Park result would have generated a broad Scottish smile on the face of Technical coach Mike Fridge, as he returned from Queenstown with a 2-0 win, after goals scored by Tim Stokes and George Milne, and a handy two-point lead at the top of the FPL.
Northern coach Steve Brook also had a broad smile after his Northern side beat Mosgiel 3-2, in a rollicking contest at Memorial Park.
"Five goals, and four were headers," said Brook, whose side trailed 2-0 after 20 minutes after Morgan Day - "the smallest guy on the park", according to Brook - scored twice with his head.
A brilliant hat trick by Northern's James O'Callaghan reeled in the Plainsmen, who sagged to extend their run without a win to four matches.
At the Caledonian Ground, University and Green Island battled out a 2-2 draw which keeps them mid-table, while Queenstown and Grants Braes are now anchored in the nether regions of the FPL.
