But a last minute goal to Bathurst City’s Kelly Baker earned her team a hard fought 1-all draw.

Bathurst City started the game well and dominated the opening 10 minutes forcing Panthers to pull out all stops to hold them out with defensive players Andrea Gillard, Tiffany Northey and Keely Newham outstanding.

Goalie Jess Luchetti was also rock solid pulling off some spectacular saves.

After repelling the early onslaught, the momentum started to swing Panthers’ way and it was City’s turn to try and hold out the home side.

Both sides went into the break scoreless with the Panthers just shading their opponents.

Four minutes into the second half, fullback Andrea Gillard worked her way up into the forwards and from the top of the circle hammered home a rocket like goal that gave the City keeper no chance.

Leading 1-nil, the Panthers continued to press City’s goalmouth with a couple of good chances going begging.

The Panthers enjoyed four short corners, but could not breach the solid City defence.

The equaliser came late in the game when City gained a short corner and after Jess Luchetti made a good stop, the ball shot up high in the air with City’s Kelly Baker taking the ball high and padding it down into the goals.

“The game was a good one and one that you would expect from the two of the top sides,” coach Greg Banning said.

“We missed the thrust of our main goalscorer Abby (Wilson) who was unavailable, but you play with what you have and in the end, a draw keeps us on top and 10 points ahead of second place.”

Andrea Gillard was the star of the match with good support coming from Amy Capaldi, Mahala Williams, Lauren Judge, birthday girl Amanda Saladine and goalie Jess Luchetti in a team where all turned in good performances.

The Panthers will have the week off this weekend due to a general bye.

More photos from the Panthers’ Pink Day are on pages 20 and 21 and also on the Mercury web page sporting gallery.