FC inflicted Shellharbour’s first loss of the season and the Highlanders are now only three points off the lead with two games still in hand.

The win was set up by a solid firsthalf performance by FC, with crisp passing and possession taking them to a 2-0 halftime lead.

The first goal came after a superb build up down the left hand side saw Chris Pearson have a one-on-one with Shellharbour’s goalkeeper.

The keeper pulled off a fantastic save, but FC’s Tim Allen cleaned up the scraps and gave the home team a 1-0 lead.

Josh Zemljacenko scored the Highlands’ second after a build up of possession down the right hand side. Nick Allen supplied the cross for Zemljacenko to make it 2-0.

Shellharbour came out all guns blazing after the break and had FC under extreme pressure.

The pressure was too much for the home team and a penalty was awarded to Shellharbour.

The decision was a major turning point as a goal to Shellharbour would have seen them full of confidence and storm home with a wet sail.

But FC goalkeeper Anton Petkovic pulled off the save and the Highlands gained some momentum back.

Highlands almost made it 3-0 when there were only 15 minutes left on the clock but failed to convert.

Shellharbour scored a goal to make it 2-1, but Highlands held on for the final five minutes to take the three points.

Petkovic was man of the match.