KIRKSVILLE, Mo. -- Just seconds away from heading into an overtime scoreless for the third time in four games, Missouri S&T's men's soccer team went down to defeat when Truman State's Charlie Backus scored with just 17 seconds left on the clock to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 win over the Miners Sunday afternoon.

The Miners and Bulldogs -- rivals who played to a scoreless tie last season in Rolla -- were locked up in a tough battle all afternoon. Truman had a 15-12 advantage in shots, but only five shots in the entire game were on goal. The Bulldogs also had seven corner kicks to S&T's two in the contest.

S&T's only credited shot on goal in the contest came with five minutes left in the first half from J.J. Bilyeu (St. Louis, Mo./Christian Brothers). The Miners had a good scoring chance with just over two minutes to play, but Kenny Gravlin (Florissant, Mo./St. Louis University HS)'s effort to head the ball in went over the crossbar.

Miner goalkeeper Pat McNamee (Fenton, Mo./Vianney ) was credited with three saves in the game.

The Miners (6-6-4, 4-2-4 GLVC) return to Great Lakes Valley Conference play Friday when they play at Drury. S&T is currently in a tie for fourth place in the GLVC standings, but has yet to clinch a playoff spot heading into its last two conference games.

Wisconsin-Parkside won at Missouri-St. Louis and Quincy won at Drury Sunday, preventing the Miners from locking up a spot in the eight-team GLVC Tournament. The Miners will host league leader Rockhurst next Sunday in their regular season finale following Friday's game at Drury.