Image: Con Deves
The Grange played host to a survival six-pointer on Monday night but in the end both Kingston and Melbourne Knights had to split a point each, which realistically suits neither in a congested battle to avoid 12th place.
The game nearly started in disaster for the visitors as a giveaway at the back by Chalmers almost led to the opener, but he made amends with a save to deny Damian Iaconis before Kristian Konstantinidis headed over.
The Knights had a more regulation chance of their own when Elvis Kamsoba found new signing Mehdi Martin at the near post yet his effort just missed.
Kostantinidis was showing plenty of tricky footwork to tee up Iaconis in front of goal, however once more a clinical finish eluded the striker.
The goal finally did come via a corner when Faisal Sakhizada volleyed in a clever effort that bounced into the goal for the lead and his first of the season.
In response Kamsoba had two bites of his own from a corner – his first strike was saved and the next one narrowly missed wide.
Sakhizada has been a regular threat at set pieces this season and had a bullet header saved by Chalmers to deny his side from extending their lead heading into the break.
Whatever words Eric Vassiliadis spoke at half time had an effect as the Knights hit back almost immediately after the restart. Another corner kick led to another chance, and this time it was Tom Cahill bundling the ball over the line from Milan Batur’s initial header.
Cahill was a threat throughout the 90 and had to be denied later on by Kile Kennerdy from handing his side the advantage.
Sami Nour was a deadline day arrival at Kingston and also almost made an instant contribution when picking up Mouad Zwed’s pass and curling one in to the back post, with Chalmers alert to the danger and tipping it wide.
That’s the way the contest stayed as the sides had to settle for the draw.
With Bulleen defeating North Geelong Warriors it sees them emerge from the weekend with the upper hand in ninth place on 21 points, condemning 13th placed North Geelong to stay on nine points, with Kingston, Port Melbourne and Knights sitting on 19, 18 and 17 points respectively from 10th to 12th, albeit the former have a game in hand. It sets up a grandstand battle to avoid 12th and have to face off a relegation playoff against the second-best placed NPL2 club.