Coach Adam Jamieson was ruing a loss that came after a brilliant 4-0 win against top-placed Monash University in the previous round.

A defensive lapse capped off an "awful" first half for the Gulls, sending them into the break down by a goal.

After a few choice words from Jamieson, Mornington returned to dominate the second half, creating a number of chances that all went begging.

With minutes remaining, and Gulls players flooding Old Melburnians' penalty area, the home side sealed the win with a breakaway goal just before the final whistle.

The defeat means either Fitzroy or Monash must drop a game or draw one of the final two rounds if the Gulls are to have any chance at a promotion spot.

Nor can these sides be complacent given their slight lead on the Gulls.

Mornington faces relegation-threatened Doveton this week and the composition of the bottom of the table is as undecided as the top.

Mornington has experience, youth and depth but has found itself relying on the frontrunners to falter with just two rounds remaining.

Like last year it will likely come down to the final round when the Gulls meet Warragul at Dallas Brooks Reserve on Saturday week.

A Caleb Nicholes hat-trick helped Langwarrin pound Clifton Hill 6-2 in the third-last round of State League division 1 competition at Lawton Park on Saturday.

Boris Ovcin, Simon Muir and Wayne Gordon also found the net in the comprehensive drubbing.

Coach Gus McLeod said having his squad recovered and back to full strength contributed to the emphatic victory.

Langy has scored 14 goals in its past three outings and Nicholes leads the competition on 15.

Results went the way of the young Pines side despite

their 2-1 defeat to Western Suburbs at Monterey Reserve on Saturday night and they remain clear of the relegation zone.

Chachi Elmazi scored for Pines who were aided by bottom-placed Southern Stars' unlikely 3-2 win over Springvale White Eagles to lock both those sides on 11 points, four behind Pines.