By MARK CASHMAN

Hunter Wildfires coach Scott Coleman walked away from the Village Green a happy man after their 29-all draw with Manly on Saturday, but lamenting what might have been.

The Wildfires were in this one right up to their boot straps and Coleman reckons that they could have had a crack at hitting the lead with seconds left on the clock, but a turnover jackel 40m out went unrewarded.

Earlier the visitors had hit the lead in the middle stages of the game but slipped behind as the Marlins got their act into gear.

The move to tie the game up was a single carry 15m out from winger Rob Buserau where the winger kept the legs moving in contact and managed to get over the line and get the ball down.