The ACT Brumbies scored a late try against a 14-man Western Force to win a tight match 25-17 and record their first win of the 2017 Super Rugby season on Friday.
The Force were leading 17-13 with 10 minutes to go when lock Ross Haylett-Petty was shown a yellow card for a late tackle on Brumbies scrumhalf Joe Powell.
The home side took full advantage as centre Kyle Godwin and replacement hooker Robbie Abel touched down to overhaul the Force and secure their first win after two close losses.
"It's a massive relief – we're a pretty young side and we're learning to win," Brumbies captain Sam Carter said.
"The last couple of weeks have been tough but it's good to get a win."
The Force, who needed to win to ensure they stay top of the Australian conference, opened the match full of intent and looked dangerous every time they touched the ball as they spun it wide.
They had two golden opportunities early but Chance Peni was denied a try when he was called for a double movement, before a pass went behind him soon after with the tryline open.
The Brumbies absorbed the pressure then began to work their way into the game, and were rewarded when Wallaby winger Henry Speight crashed over from close to the line to open the scoring.
The home side used their superior scrum to dominate the Force and they doubled their advantage six minutes before the break when New Zealand-born flyhalf Wharenui Hawera crossed following some good lead up work by Powell.
But right on halftime the Force finally got on the board, hooker Heath Tessmann crashing over at the back of a rolling maul from an attacking line-out.
The visitors started the second half the way they started the first but this time they were rewarded for some expansive running rugby with a try in the corner to Peni three minutes after the restart.
Flyhalf Jono Lance converted from the sideline to give the Force a 14-10 lead.
A Harewa penalty narrowed the gap to 14-13 with 15 minutes to go only for Lance to restore the four point advantage from a scrum penalty two minutes later.
But the Force were dealt a huge blow minutes from fulltime when Haylett-Petty came through a lineout and took out Powell.
From the next play Godwin crossed against his former club to put the home side ahead, then Abel, who had only been on the field a matter of minutes, barged over at the back of a rolling maul.