Adam Ashley Cooper
Adam Ashley Cooper scores the vital try and help hand Australia the win. [Reuters]

Australia would produce an outstanding performance to secure a one point victory over the British and Irish Lions to level the Test series and leave it all hanging on next Saturday's final game in Sydney.

The Wallabies would trail for the vast majority of the match but with just five minutes remaining Adam Ashley-Cooper would finally break the line and score the vital try. Christian Leali'ifano would have all the pressure on his shoulder as he added the extra two points to secure a 16-15 victory.

There was a late chance for the Lions to seal a first series win in 16 years when referee Craig Joubert handed the visitors a last minute penalty right on the half way line. Leigh Halfpenny, who has been lethal with his boot thorughout, could not get the distance and Australia secured a vital win.

"The boys will wake up and realise that we still have a Test series up for grabs," said Sam Warburton. "It is going to be won by a whisker next week, and we just hope that it is us. Australia got hold of us in our 22 and we found it difficult to get out.

"Territory is everything. I thought it was a good contest," added the captain who was forced to come off towards the end. "I felt something in my hamstring. Fingers crossed I'll be OK. We can still achieve our dream, it's still on."

In a tight first half there were few opportunities for either side as the only points scored came from penalties as Halfpenny and Leali'fano both kept their nerve to show their quality.

It was a fast start from the Lions who heaped pressure on Australia and Halfpenny was unlucky not to hand the Lions the lead when his kick from half way hit the upright, but he would make up for that miss on 10 minutes as he gave the visitors first blood.

Australia were struggling with the big drives of the Lions pack and Joubert warned the home side that they were risking a yellow card if they kept pulling down the maul.

But it would soon be Warren Gatland's side who were put under pressure as England's Mako Vunipola was consistently called up for pulling down the scrum.

Leigh Halfpenny
Leigh Halfpenny had a last minute opportunity to claim a series win. [Reuters] Reuters

Leali'fano would level matters before penalties for both sides saw the score move to 9-9 with half-time approaching.

But Australia would give away another penalty and Halfpenny would convert once again to hand the Lions the narrowest of leads.

The second half was all Australia pressure but some superb defensive work from captain Sam Warburton and Brian O'Driscoll would mean the Lions would hold on to their narrow advantage.

On sixty minutes the Lions would carve out an opportunity after an amazing piece of power from George North who lifted Israel Falou and carried the winger fully five metres. The crowd would make some serious noise as a scrum was given and a huge heave from the visitors would force another penalty.

George North
George North with an amazing feat of strength. [Reuters]

Again it was the perfect strike from Halfpenny and the Lions would move six points ahead with less than twenty minutes remaining.

The Aussies would continue to come forward and pile on the pressure but the Lions defence seemed as though it would hold firm and secure a memorable victory.

But on 74 minutes the Australians worked their way to the 22 before moving the ball wide through James O'Connor who fed Ashley-Cooper from five metres and he would score the vital try.

A conversion from Leali'fano would hand the home side a one point lead and they held on as Halfpenny missed at the death with his penalty which fell agonisingly short.

Now all eyes move to Sydney were Gatland's side will look to secure a first series victory in 16 years.