Brunei DPMM FC's perfect start to the 2015 S.League campaign ended on Saturday when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Home United in Brunei.
Home took the lead in the 30th minute at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium through Denmark born striker Ken Ilso. But the hosts overturned the deficit as Brazilian forward Rafael Ramazotti netted at the stroke of half-time and again on the hour mark.
Just when it looked as though Steve Kean's charges were about to claim a third consecutive victory, Kamel Ramdani struck in the 84th minute to leave both sides to settle for a share of the spoils.
The result leaves Brunei DPMM second on the table with seven points, two behind leaders Tampines Rovers but with a game in hand.
Nonetheless, Kean's side would be the ones left wondering what could have been. They were arguably the better side right through the game.
Brunei were to first to threaten in the 13th minute when Craig Fagan fired away a free kick from 25 yards that called Hyrulnizam Juma'at into action. Before long, the Singapore international had to make another save off Brian McLean's close-range header in the 29th minute.
However, a minute later, the visitors opened the scoring through Ken Ilso's fourth goal of the season; the Dane creating a yard of space for himself with a deft turn before finding the back of the net on his left foot.
The goal stunned the Bruneians into action and they managed to pull level just before the break, after Hyrulnizam's failure to gather a Boris Raspudic free kick paved the way for Ramazotti to head the ball home.
Ramazotti has already proven to be quite a handful for opposition defence this season, and he was on target once more in the 60th minute when he met another set-piece delivery -- this time from Sairol Sahari -- and nodded the ball past Hyrulnizam.
Ilso then came close two minutes later with a long-range free kick that Wardun Yussof did well to push over. Ramazotti spurned an excellent chance to complete his hat trick in the 66th minute when he failed to hit the target from point-blank range.
As the game entered its closing stages, it seemed as though the hosts would be able to play out the remainder of the contest and hold out for the win.
But with six minutes left, Brunei's failure to clear their lines from a Home free kick was pounced upon by Ramdani, who managed to put the ball past Wardun from close range to equalise and maintain his side's unbeaten start to the season.
DPMM will now be looking to get back to winning ways when they are back in action on April 4 with a trip to Hougang United, while the Protectors face off against derby rivals Warriors FC a day later at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Brunei DPMM FC Lineup: Wardun Yussof, Sairol Sahari, Boris Raspudic, Brian McLean, Azwan Saleh, Joe Gamble, Hendra Azam (Yura Indera Putera 80'), Aminuddin Zakwan, Helmi Zambin, Craig Fagan (Adi Said 37'), Rafael Ramazotti.
Home United Lineup: Hyrulnizam Juma'at, Ang Zhiwei, Abdil Qaiyyim, Noh Rahman, Redzwan Atan (Fazli Ayob 70'), Yasir Hanapi (Nur Hizami 81'), Song Ui-young, Ambroise Begue (Stanely Ng 57'), Kamel Ramdani, Sirina Camara, Ken Ilso.