
For the first time since 2001, Daylesford & Hepburn United's Division 1 senior side is sitting equal-first on the ladder at the season's halfway point.
The squad travelled all the way to Warrnambool, grinding out a 1-1 draw against the Rangers.
Birthday boy Bear Hackenberger scored the only goal to lift Daylesford 1-0, after some excellent work by Claude Monet and Owen Turbit.
Daylesford held the lead for five minutes.
But when danger man Darcy was allowed to dance into the box, he put in a cross for a tap in after a few unlucky clearances.
Both goalkeepers were superb, with Brendan Saverz saving the Saints at least four times.
Jordy Barnes, Saverz and Owen Turbitt were named best on ground for the Saints for their stellar efforts on what was a harsh, rainy day against some decent opposition.
Also worthy of mention were Dylan and Jack Nulty, who never lost a gig all day and battled hard.
The game was worthy of a top two clash and was very close all day.
The Daylesford side had some good opportunities, but Warrnambool Rangers hit the post from a cracking Bail free kick.
The Saints' next game is against the Sebastopol Vikings, the only team to have beaten Daylesford all season, in what could be the most important game of the year.
A win against the third-placed Vikings will put Daylesford five points ahead of the Sebastopol side.
However, a loss will allow the Vikings to jump into second.
The match will be played in Daylesford at 3pm,
The Daylesford side will certainly welcome the return of Jono Burros in the midfield.
The key player has missed a few weeks with some groin issues.
It will take everything Daylesford have to defeat the Vikings, who won the league last season.
The second half of the 2019 season is shaping up as an exciting one, with the Daylesford team returning to full strength and having everything to play for.