South Hobart warmed up for their Australia Cup date by taking a major step towards the NPL Tasmania title.
Without a state championship since 2017 but runners-up for the last three seasons, South maintained their unbeaten campaign with a 2-2 draw against a Devonport side that has claimed five of the last seven titles.
Repeating the result from round eight, Max Clarke’s men twice took the lead and registered a goal of the season contender before retaining their nine-point advantage over Strikers.
South had recorded eight straight wins and claimed the Lakoseljac Cup since the sides last met and were put on course for another when Sam Berezansky took advantage of the wind with a remarkable shot from 20 metres inside his own half which flew over opposition keeper Fletcher Cruden.
The lead lasted just two minutes before Jordan Payne equalised from a Colin Innes corner.
Harrison Oates restored the hosts’ lead in first-half stoppage time but Connor Parke ensured the points were shared.
It was just the third time in 18 matches that South failed to win but enabled them to retain the “invincibles” tag as thoughts turn to Wednesday’s Australia Cup tie against South Melbourne.
While the draw kept Devonport at arm’s length it allowed Launceston City to narrow the gap to five points with a 4-0 twilight win over neighbours Riverside.
Continuing their imperious record in Northern derbies, Daniel Syson’s men were again indebted to prolific frontmen Angus Taylor and Thierry Swaby who both netted twice for the second week running.
Taylor struck either side of half-time - the second a ruthless direct free-kick - to take his goal tally to seven in the last four games and 18 for the season.
Swaby’s fifth brace of the campaign came in just six minutes around the hour mark, claiming one long-range stunner to take his goal contribution to 15.
In the “Battle of Franklin” at Wentworth Park, Kingborough topped the poll with a 4-1 win over bottom side Clarence.
A penalty apiece had the scores level going into first-half stoppage time with Curtis Miley and Noah Mies doing the business from the spot.
However, the game turned as blustery conditions and attacking pressure led to an own goal from Zebras keeper Hugh Sansom.
A Rowan Pitt header and right-footed volley from Mies completed the scoreline with Mies’ sixth brace taking his season tally to 17.
Champions Glenorchy and strugglers Launceston United were both desperate for a win and Knights grabbed it with a 3-0 scoreline at KGV.
Tom Walpole broke the deadlock before a late Mathew Brkic brace completed United’s 11th-straight loss.
The Women’s Super League had a bye weekend.