Trailing by eight points at the final change and kicking into a stiff breeze, the visitors dug deep to win by 10.8 (68) to 9.11 (65).

It's now five straight wins for Lockhart, all of which have come away from home.

"We faded away in the middle two quarters so to come back when we were playing against a four or five-goal breeze and win the last quarter was really good," coach Mitch Carroll said.

"It was a massive effort by the boys. To work hard like that, especially when they kicked a couple of goals, for us to get them back straight away was very pleasing.

"We've had five away games in a row now and to win them all, we're very happy. No matter where you are on the ladder, to win five in a row on the road is a big feat."

Andrew Emery laid the platform for Lockhart with three goals in the first quarter as it quickly became evident the wind was going to dictate.

And with conditions in their favour after the break, Howlong fought their way back into the contest. Matthew McDonald kicked two in quick succession and the lively Ben Baker also goaled as the Spiders wrestled their way in front.

Leading by six points at half-time, the home side put in a huge defensive effort during the third quarter and managed to restrict wind-assisted Lockhart to a single goal.

Ashley Murray's second of the game stretched their margin to nine points, setting up an intriguing finale.

But it was Lockhart who started to find their targets inside 50 and goals from William Haberecht, Luke Argus - a clever soccer off the ground - and Dwayne Weetra, who finished with three, got the job done.

"To have an opportunity to win the game and come up short is always disappointing," Howlong coach Dave Miles said.

"They out-worked us in the last quarter. They were too good around the contest and they were composed with the footy, they chipped it around and they were able to get on top with a few match-ups forward.

"Take nothing away from Lockhart, they performed under pressure. It was a tough contested game and they were good in that area.

"The game was certainly there to be won and we weren't able to find that little bit extra.

"They earned it and we've got to look at the process of how we can get better and look at what changes we need to make."

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Reigning premiers Osborne are now the only unbeaten side, with Lockhart one of three teams four points back ahead of Saturday's showdown at Lockhart.

"Osborne are the benchmark and will be all year so it'll be a good challenge to see where we are as a team and how we're going this year," Carroll said.

"We're very excited about it. You want to be playing the best team in the comp so the boys are all excited and I'm sure we'll be up and about. Hopefully we can put in a good performance."

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