Melbourne have overcome a gritty Western Force to end their Super Rugby losing streak with a 27-22 victory at AAMI Park.
Despite three successive losses, the Rebels were expected to dominate the struggling Force, who were without injured workhorse skipper Matt Hodgson.
But the visitors made it a long Sunday afternoon for Melbourne, who only managed to break a 15-15 deadlock in the 59th minute.
Rebels winger Sefa Naivalu scored two second-half tries in his best showing of the season.
Melbourne's attack plans were thrown into disarray early when five-eighth Mike Harris suffered a hamstring injury, throwing his recall to the Wallabies' series against England into doubt.
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Harris left the field immediately after setting up the Rebels' first try by centre Reece Hodge, who has set a club record of eight tries in a season despite missing three games through injury.
The Force hit back just four minutes later with a superb effort by Luke Morahan, who also scored in the second half.
The winger leapt above the Rebels to gather a kick down-field by five-eighth Peter Grant.
He chipped ahead, then managed to collect the ball and dive across in the corner.
That try gave the Force an 8-7 lead, which Hodge reclaimed for his side through a penalty.
Naivalu crossed for his first two minutes into the second half but again the Force responded as they drove the ball from a line-out before hooker Harry Scoble scrambled across.
Hard-running lock Lopeti Timani and Naivalu, who chimed in with his second try, blew out the lead to 27-15 before Morahan's late effort.
The Rebels trail the front-running Brumbies and Waratahs by seven points in the Australian conference.
