BARLA Lions lost the second match of their tour of Fiji 28-20 against Australian Affiliated States overnight on Tuesday, having led going into the final few minutes of a thrilling Test match.

Barrow Island’s Sam Jones set up one of the Lions’ tries, while Askam’s Tom Hopkins also started the match, with Millom’s Lee Postlethwaite being used off the bench.

Captain Jamie Fields opened the scoring for the tourists in the fifth minute with a close-range effort on the right and added the goal to make it 6-0, but the Affiliated States replied with David Tabuai just grounding before the defence got to him.

The Lions were playing in confident fashion and were rewarded when Sam Jones beat a defender and blazed down the left before offloading to Jack Jones, who ran to the posts.

With the Lions leading 12-4, the Australian side responded once more, as big second row Losi Kereti wrestled his way over.

Five minutes later, the Australian side took the lead for the first time when dangerman Kereti rid himself of a couple of defenders and got the ball down at the left-hand corner for his second try.

Early in the second half, an error inside their own twenty from BARLA Lions gifted possession to the Affiliated States, who quickly struck through winger Kody Simecki to put them 18-12 ahead.

The excellent Craig Savage responded for the Lions by collecting a ricochet off his on kick ahead, with Fields converting before kicking the tourists 20-18 in front with a penalty on the hour mark.

The momentum swayed again, as Delane Edwards collected a spill from Ian Jackson, danced inside a couple of defenders and ran under the posts before Andy Hullock sealed victory.

The Lions now must defeat Fiji Bati Residents on Friday to stand a chance of winning the International Tri-Series.