Despite letting a two goal half time lead slip, the northern suburbs powerhouse finally broke their 32-year title drought with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Wollongong United on Sunday at WIN Stadium.

A shock equaliser from United’s Nathan Elasi in the 88^th minute looked set to derail the League Championship winner’s afternoon. 

But this was to be Bulli’s day in the sun. 

With the clock ticking down, star midfielder Guy Knight scored a dramatic header in the third minute of added time to complete a memorable title double. It put to rest a run of eight straight defeats in grand finals for Matt Bailey’s men. 

“It is an unbelievable feeling,” the Bulli coach said.

“This group is second to none. 

“We have desired and craved this grand final for a number of years and today we have done it.

“We are going to celebrate this like we haven’t celebrated anything before.”

Bulli took the lead after 27 minutes after Marcus Beattie pounced on a loose ball to finish at the back post.

Player of the match Harry Callahan doubled the advantage six minutes before half time when he headed the ball into the top corner. 

United made matters interesting eight minutes into the second stanza as Daisuke Yuzawa’s cross found Kazuto Kushida to head past Bulli keeper Yuya Kuwada. 

A flicked header from Elasi provided United with a dramatic equaliser with two minutes remaining, which also looked to steal the momentum in their favour.

But just as the match appeared to be heading to extra time, Knight scored the winner.

The 2017 George Naylor Medallist was in the right place at the right time to head home in the 93^rd minute of the match. It was came as a huge relief to Bailey, who lost his maiden grand final as coach last season. 

“A thousand emotions went through our heads,” he said. 

“With two minutes to go we thought we had it but we had to go again. We had to continue to fight. The game wasn’t lost, it was only 2-all. We did the hard work and the foundations to get to that point but unfortunately they managed to equalise.

“Credit to our boys, they keep fighting and got the job done in the end.”

United coach Jeff Allport was gutted by the defeat, but admired the character his troops showed to come back from 2-0 down. 

“I am just so proud of that second half performance,” he said.

“We said if we get one we would go on and win it. I think we came very close but they jagged it right at the end there.

“Good luck to them. After waiting 32 years, they have nailed it right at the last minute of the game. From their perspective that is great but I so proud of our boys in the second half.”

United had won three consecutive elimination games heading into the decider, but couldn’t complete their run to a first grand final victory since 2015.