The 1-all draw against powerhouse Premier League leaders Canberra FC was an exceptional result.

But Panthers players were gutted they did not leave the competition’s toughest fixture with the full three points for a win.

The visitors repelled wave after wave of attacking raids by FC in the first half.

However, the Panthers’ patient counter-attacking plan panicked the favourites in the second stanza.

Then with five minutes remaining, Monaro striker Goran Veljanovski volleyed a wonderful left-foot shot into the top left-hand corner of the net.

Veljanovski’s strike looked like his team would be the first ever travelling side to walk away from Deakin Stadium with a victory before FC’s Matt Grbesa headed home a corner in the 90th minute.

Panthers coach John Bull was immensely proud of the effort his boys displayed.

“They were down because Canberra got a late goal but I told them I thought they were fantastic,” he said.

“The plan was always to sit back and absorb some pressure, hold our defensive shape and then attack later in the game.

“We were well organised and we’re starting to come together.”

Defender Dave Baillie was exceptional in quelling some threatening and well planned FC raids, putting his body on the line when the home side was desperate for goals late in the match.

“He’s just a machine,” Bull said.

“I’d be very surprised if you found anyone tougher than Dave in this competition.

“He’d play with a broken leg if he had to.”

Also deserving of praise was goalkeeper Jason Denham.

Denham saved a number of goals with lightning sharp reflexes from a handful of FC shots right in front of goal.

Monaro’s James Barac, like Baillie made a number of crucial tackles but will miss Sunday’s game against ANU for picking up a red card late in the match due to a challenge on FC’s Adam Spaleta.

The Panthers lost their round eight match 1-0 to ANU at Hawker.

But Bull believes his side’s two impressive consecutive performances of late as well as the home ground advantage at Riverside Stadium will hold his troops in good stead.

The match kicks off at 3pm.