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Aberdeen Grammar might well regards this as one that got away, but the try count of five to one for Watsonians tells its own story, although the Rubislaw faithful could justifiably argue their side did not get the rub of the green.
When home centre Jamie Gilmour was adjudged to have put a foot in touch before touching down just after half-time with the score 1t 19-13 for the visitors, it proved to be a defining moment.
The Myreside team kicked on, scoring two tries to keep themselves top of National 1, while Grammar slid to a precarious ninth position in the 12-team league.
Coach Stuart Corsar was in no doubt his beleaguered side now needs to beat Stewart's Melville in Edinburgh on Saturday if they are to steer clear of the relegation area.
He said: "That was disappointing, we wanted to come away with the points. We started the second half very well, [put a lot of pressure on them and were unlucky to have a try disallowed. We need to be able to hold on to the ball, but we get a bit excited and try to force it.
"Generally the decisions went against us, but we've got the ability and the players. it's just the top two inches we need to work on."
Grammar had started well, racing into a 10-point lead in as many minutes through an Alex Hagart penalty and winger Grant Walker's try which was converted by stand off Hagart. Watsonians then asserted themselves, scoring three tries in the space of 15 minutes, two of which were converted by stand off David Blair. The Edinburgh sides tries were attributed to flanker Robbie Shedden, centre Scott McLeod and a penalty try, giving them a 19-10 lead.
Hagart hit back with another penalty to reduce the visitors' lead to six points at the break.
Grammar enjoyed their best spell early in the second period only to be frustrated by referee Neil Muir, who ruled out Gilmour's try, but were compensated by a Hagart penalty.
Tries from number eight Rory Drummond and replacement Nick Montgomery gave the visitors a flattering 31-16 win, even if the home side had only themselves to blame for their lack of composure at key moments.
© Jack Nixon
Aberdeen Grammar: Alex Ratcliffe; Grant Walker, Jamie Gilmour, Conor Lavery, Martin McRobbie; Alex Hagart, Sam Knudson; Fergus McKenzie, Stuart Davis, Colin Neilson; Stuart Smith, Robin Cessford; Chris Jollands, Tony McGinness, Adrian Hamilton.
Replacements: Graham Allan, Matthias Schosser, Calum Champion, Matthew Reid, Doug Russell.
Watsonians: Rory Steele; Mark Bertram, Scott McLeod, DJ Innes, Scott McKean; David Blair, Reiss Cullen; Martin Christie, Ali Ross, Ali Marsh; Calum Harvey, Romain Denonain; Jonny Neary, Robbie Shedden, Euan McKirdy, Nick Montgomery.