REPLACEMENT Adit Sharma's 73rd minute strike earned Nadroga a 1-all draw against Savusavu in the Fiji Sun/GP Batteries National Football League at Churchill Park in Lautoka yesterday.
Adit came off the bench to save the Stallions from embarrassment after squandering several good scoring opportunities.
Savusavu took the early lead after Shailendra Buisena's 11th minute strike went past Nadroga goalkeeper Benjamin Rokobaro.
Nadroga dominated the second half but poor finishing let them down. Adit finally broke the Savusavu defence marshalled by veteran Pene Erenio to score from inside the box.
Nadroga coach Waisea Tale Senior seemed disappointed at the result.
He said they had set a high goal for the fixture.
"We came here looking for a big win," Tale Sr said.
"But we wasted many opportunities. We had set a high target for this game unfortunately the way the boys played, it just was not according to the game plan."
"The early goal certainly put them off. They were supposed to use the width of the ground and play from a wider angle."
"There is a lot of hard work ahead to rectify the mistakes. The boys will need to improve on their passing and especially retaining possession. They will also have to lift their fitness level."
Savusavu Football Association president Upendra Narayan said they were satisfied with the result after suffering a loss to Lautoka on Saturday.
He said Nadroga was hungrier in the second spell.
"We are happy with the result," Narayan said.
"We were leading 1-0 at halftime but in the second spell Nadroga stepped up and scored the equaliser. They made use of that chance."
"A draw away from home is good. We have to start winning matches to be in the top eight to qualify for the Fiji FACT."
Savusavu: Kaair Khan, Pene Erenio, Avishek Chand, Kitione Kamikamica, Shiv Prasad, Kalivesi Tukana, Jonasa Buinayau, Shailendra Buisena, Waisale Rasoki, Rohit Chand, Akuila Bulewa.
Nadroga: Benjamin Rokobaro, Krishneel Dutt, Rajnit Singh, Vinit Singh, Setareki Delana, Wallace Bali, Sajeshwar Singh, Tomasi Tuicakau, Waisea Tale Junior, Kevueli Tamoi, Sanish Pillay.