It was almost a case of third time lucky, but once again North Gambier fell just short in a “finals like” Western Border football clash with South Gambier at Vansittart Park on Saturday.

After letting the previous clashes slip, the Tigers were determined to finish on the winning side and with the Demons battling some sickness issues, the hosts sensed an opportunity and pounced.

Although Brodie Foster looked dangerous and opened the scoring, North made the biggest statement kicking three majors to gain a handy five-point lead by quarter time.

With Jay Turner and Mitchell Kelton giving Nick McInerney strong support, the Tigers were able to link up well to give Sam Stafford plenty of opportunities to hit the scoreboard.

But the visitors showed why they are the ladder leaders and hit back hard in the second term.

In front of the big sticks it was all about coach Brayden Kain and Foster and their accurate legs propelled the Demons into the lead.

After both teams enjoyed productive periods, neither could break free during a pressure-packed third term which left the game up for grabs.

“North matched up on us in the previous games and it was a tight tussle with a finals atmosphere,” Kain said.

“Whenever one team would get on top, the other would break it down and slow the momentum, so it was really back and forth.

“I felt like we were in control of the ball for most of the game, but let ourselves down with some basic skill errors.”

One man the Demons could not stop was Stafford, who used his athleticism to take grabs and nail set shots from outside 50.

His last of a remarkable six goals in a losing effort gave the yellow and black some hope with only four points the difference after six minutes of final quarter play.

But after almost an entire game of trying, South was able to unlock its lethal best at the death to crush Tigers’ hearts once again.

The Demons kicked away with three unanswered goals to establish the 24-point win where Kain played a big part booting five, while his partner in crime Foster strongly supported with three.

“We were able to stick to our guns and get a bit of momentum in the final eight minutes of the game,” Kain said.

“It was not until then we got that intensity and enthusiasm back which willed us over the line which did not come easy, so credit to the boys.”