The score was 1-all with just seconds in the match remaining when the Lions nabbed a late winner off a corner at Fraser Park to break the Mariners’ hearts.

John Henry put the Mariners ahead on a corner before the Lions struck back before half-time.

Mariners coach Andrew Fearnley said his side had plenty of chances to take their third win of the season.

Instead they found loss number nine.

“The problem with Sunday’s game was that we had so many chances to put the game to bed before they were even in a position to find that winner. We were playing some good football but we couldn’t finish,” he said.

“We scored first but then we don’t put enough pressure on the guy with the ball, his shot goes off the crossbar and they follow it in.

“In the second half we had so many chances to take the game away from them. Instead, we defended a corner terribly and win on what was effectively the last play of the game.

“I’m not sure whether it’s a lack of composure … or a lack of execution, but that finishing has got to improve. Those were good chances.”

Mariners will have an opportunity to hit back next round when they take on fellow strugglers Granville Rage at Proctor Park.