In hot conditions, both teams were equally matched throughout much of the first half however in the chances department, the home team seemed to edge out the visitors. Cooper Buswell and Chris Hurley both had half-chances but were snuffed out by Valentine keeper Perry Budden.

Valentine also had their chances with the crossbar denying them from a goal, as well as having a chance cleared off the line but as the second waged on, Dutch striker Jason Tjien-Fooh looked most likely to break the deadlock.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, he had a tight-angled shot saved, before then giving a pass to a waiting Jackson Burston who seemed like he could do nothing but score from close-range, but his shot was desperately blocked.

The match seemed all but over when the first breakthrough finally came for Weston as Burston jumped on a bouncing through ball before then lofting it over Budden's head and wildly celebrating.

But there was a late twist in game. Phoenix began to launch balls forward looking for late equaliser .

It came when inch-perfect through ball from Riley Russell found Ben Hay in behind the defence and, in almost identical fashion to the first goal of the game, he popped it over the head of the opposition keeper to a thunderous applause.

Bears coach Kew Jaliens was disappointed in his team's performance.

"It was very disappointing," Jaliens said.

"I think we played a very poor game. I think overall, we should've won, but if you score to make it 1-0 in the last minute, and then give away a goal in the last seconds of the game, do you really deserve it?

"I wasn't really happy with any of our game. I expect more from my team and they've shown me more and better so I'm disappointed.

"We lacked in tempo, accuracy and urgency to win the game - all the things which make a mature team.

"That's where we need to go to and need to work on, but I believe the boys are able to do that."

Valentine co-coach Sam Griffen felt the result was justified and that although he felt his side's performance was  rusty, he was impressed with the grit and determination showed.

"I think a draw was probably a fair reflection of the game," Griffen said.

"I think both teams would have been disappointed not to get anything.

The Bears cause was not helped with skipper Nathan Morris sidelined with injury for at least the next month and then losing key defender Zac Sneddon with concussion before half-time.

The draw leaves Weston in fourth in a log-jam of teams on seven points from top of the ladder Lambton to fifth-placed Broadmeadow Magic.

Weston play third-placed Newcastle Jets Youth on Sunday at Rockwell Automation Park. Kick-off is at 2.30pm. They then play Lambton away on Good Friday.