Amy Sayer shows her frustration during the Matildas' 1-1 draw with Slovenia.(Getty Images: James Worsfold)
A 91st-minute strike from Mirjam Kastelec has earned Slovenia a 1-1 draw with the Matildas in Perth, denying Joe Montemurro two wins from as many matches as Australia coach and spoiling an improved performance from the hosts.
After a scoreless opening half on Sunday evening, the Matildas secured a deserved breakthrough five minutes after the break when Remy Seimsen set Ellie Carpenter up to float a cutback to Michelle Heyman, who placed a side-footed volley into the net.
Michelle Heyman (right) scored the Matildas' only goal.(Getty Images: Paul Kane)
But a late flurry from the Slovenians was rewarded a minute into added time when an effort from Naja Poje Mihelič bounced off the post and back into the path of fellow substitute Kastelec, who slid in front of a desperately retreating Matildas defence to fire home.
It dampened a performance from the Australians that showed signs of improvement as they continue to adapt to the new possession-based principles of Montemurro.
After a 3-0 midweek win characterised by struggles with the Slovenian press and sloppy turnovers, the Matildas were cleaner with the ball in their defensive third on Sunday, which resulted in fewer opportunities off giveaways for the visitors.
This was accompanied by improvements in the side's movement and combination play going forward, particularly from Carpenter and Amy Sayer on the right.
The promising build-ups, however, were frequently let down by the final ball or stymied by desperate last-gasp defending.
Slovenia refused to give up after trailing 1-0 against the Matildas.(Getty Images: James Worsfold)
That was until the 50th minute, when Seimsen's inch-perfect ball for Carpenter set the wing-back up to put it on a plate for Heyman.
Charli Grant came close to killing the game off in the 70th minute but had her shot cleared off the line, before the visitors raised their intensity.
Having hardly been sighted to that point, Mackenzie Arnold was called into action in the 90th minute to make a quick reaction to deny Kastelec, but the Australian goalkeeper could do little about the 22-year-old's effort a minute later.
Seeking to bounce back, Montemurro will now shuffle his deck for fixtures against Panama on July 5 and July 8, with Carpenter, Cooney-Cross and Kennedy amongst eight players leaving camp, with eight new players set to jet into West Australia.
Look back at how the action unfolded in our live blog.
Alright, that's all from us tonight folks.
Thanks so much for joining us. We'll see you Saturday night for the next friendly!
Matildas got complacent late in the game which led to them conceding against Slovenia in second half stoppage time but overall a good performance with Ellie Carpenter leading the line well as captain.
The Slovenia goal almost felt incoming after Joe Montemurro went to shake the hands of the players on the bench in the last minute before the game was done. Lessons to learn.
Overall, a good game from the Matildas.
Plenty of you kept us company on the blog tonight and it went very appreciated. Thank you.
Up next, the Matildas will face Panama.
Those games are on Saturday, 5 July and Tuesday, 8 July. Both in Western Australia.
Passing is looking tight tonight, good omen for the Matilda’s future!
Wini Heatley told Paramount after the game they were really trying to find "that meaning possession and not passing for the sake of passing".
I tend to agree, Lulu, a good look towards the future for Australia (fingers crossed we see more of it).
Ellie Carpenter – Player of the Match for sure?
It would be hard to go past Ellie Carpenter for the player of the match, absolutely Ingrid.
Wini Heatley, Clare Hunt and Kyra Cooney-Cross would also have not too many complaints you'd think.
What a quality performance. The Matildas were a class act.
While drawing, there's a lot to like from a Matildas perspective from tonight.
Wini Heatley was excellent next to Clare Hunt in defence.
Ellie Carpenter had speed for days, while Michelle Heyman a fantastic finishing touch to link up play involving Remy Siemsen for that first goal.
They looked like a solid outfit tonight, just missed the final touches on a few shots at goal.
The scoreline really doesn't reflect that match.
Australia, who won the first game 3-0, were much better composed and coordinated tonight. Yet, couldn't find the net as much.
They also let a goal pass, while keeping a clean sheet on Thursday night.
However, you'd imagine, Joe Montemurro will be much happier with the performance tonight. An odd ending.
That was a last ditch effort for Slovenia to take the lead in the final minute, but Mackenzie Arnold made the save.
It's very tense now at Perth. After dominating for the majority of the evening, the score line it's all square. Just three minutes to go.
In stoppage time. On the 90th minute, Slovenia draws level after they found the equaliser.
The ball went wide off Mackenzie Arnold and into the path of Slovenia waiting.
It's four minutes of stoppage time, three left.
Oh, that was a bit of a heart in mouth moment.
Just as Joe Montemurro was handshaking his players on the bench, Mackenzie Arnold was called into action with a very important save. Wini Heatley and Clare Hunt helping to keep the ball away from the net as the ball went back into play.
Kyra Cooney-Cross has had a lot of great balls in from corners tonight, but the Slovenia defence has been excellent in clearing them. They have had to absorb a lot of pressure tonight.
It's been an energetic game so far. Just the one goal but an entertaining match. Let's see what these final moments bring.
Slovenia looked as though they might be on their way to an equaliser but Wini Healtey wasn't letting them through.
The young defender has been crucial tonight.
Holly McNamara held her position well at the top of the 18-yard box and got the shot away but it went wide.
Now, another corner from Kyra Cooney-Cross.
Emily Gielnik and Alana Murphy are now on the park.
Alanna Kennedy and Amy Sayer have come off.
We're inside the final ten minutes now. Let's see if Australia can find a way to hit the net again and keep a clean sheet.
This time is for Holly McNamara who had a forceful challenge, where she pulled her opponent to ground.