Central Pulse scrapped their way to a hard-fought 47-47 draw with NSW Swifts in a physical trans-Tasman netball league match in Wellington on Saturday.
The result adds another draw to the Swifts' collection, after earlier ties with the Queensland Firebirds and competition leaders West Coast Fever.
Strong midcourt defence and an up-tempo attack gave the Swifts a 13-12 lead at the end of the first quarter, a margin they extended to 25-23 at halftime.
They pushed out to a four-goal lead early in the third spell before the home team came steaming back, a four-goal streak from goal attack Ameliaranne Wells putting them ahead for the first time since early in the first quarter.
The Pulse took the third stanza 14-10 to lead 37-35 with 15 minutes remaining, but the Swifts went on a five-goal run early in the fourth quarter to hit the front again.
They opened out to a 46-41 lead with five minutes remaining, and should have been able to shut out the game.
However, their inability to slow the tempo and protect possession opened the door for the Pulse, who finally began converting turnover ball into goals to level the scores.
Goal attack Jodi Brown had a long-range shot in the dying seconds to win the game for the home side, but couldn't sink the crucial attempt.
Caitlin Thwaites, with 25 from 29, and Susan Pettit (22 from 26) were kept under constant pressure from Pulse circle defenders Katrina Grant and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit.
At the other end of the court, rookie Silver Ferns shooter Wells was outstanding in her combination with the hard-working Brown.
Wells shot 26 from 33, rebounded well and provided a huge variety of options for her midcourt while Brown at goal attack finished with 21 from 25.
The draw shifts the Swifts into third place on the Australian conference, although Melbourne Vixens look set to leapfrog above them after Sunday's game against Mainland Tactix.
Central Pulse also ease into third on the New Zealand conference, two points behind second-placed Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic and five behind front-runners the Northern Mystics.
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