Eight minutes that broke 15 hearts

Hell of a thing, momentum. For a shade over 40 minutes the Lions had it. Even though their line-out had been shaky and the scrum less dominant than last week, they were still in control. There were more unforced errors than in the first Test, and once again unusually mediocre goal-kicking from Jonny Wilkinson, but the Aussies were on the rack.

The Lions were putting on lots of pressure – Brian O'Driscoll brilliant as ever, Scott Quinnell bullocking his way upfield, Dafydd James gliding past defenders. Time and again they looked like cracking the world champions wide open. Surely only a matter of time. A glorious series win beckoned.

And then the nightmare eight minutes. An excellent kick-off reception by the Lions created a three-on-two up the blind side but, eager to retain the initiative, the Lions backs kept the ball in hand. The best passer of a ball in British rugby then unerringly picked out Joe Roff, who accepted the gift graciously, and suddenly the scores were level.

Within minutes Matt Burke slotted an easy penalty and then the supposedly imposing Lions scrum twisted and turned out of shape, creating quick turnover ball that was transferred to Roff, who completed a try double with consummate ease.

Suddenly the green and golds all gained a yard of pace and oozed confidence – the transformation was startling. Within less than 10 minutes the whole game had been turned on its head. Momentum was with the Wallabies and there was no way back.

George Gregan completely controlled the last half-hour and looked the best No 9 in the world for the first time in the series. The Lions lost their shape and their discipline, injuries mounted and towards the end they were reduced to damage limitation. And all because of two tries gifted to the Australians.

One popular coaching mantra (in tennis as well as rugby) is "no soft points''. Basically this means that whereas you are never happy to see the opposition score, it is always preferable if they do so as a result of their own good play. Nothing is more damaging to a side's confidence than when the opposition keep the score-board clicking over from a series of unforced errors.

Conversely, when you absorb an enormous amount of pressure without conceding even a penalty goal – as Australia did in the 10 minutes before half-time – then it gives the whole side a real lift and starts to cast doubts in the minds of the opposition. Never were these points more graphically illustrated than in Melbourne yesterday.

Now the British and Irish team must regroup. It will not be easy, but they must concentrate on the basics – particularly in the line-out. There must be a case for bringing in one or two shortened variations to keep the Aussies guessing – since there is no genuine line-out forward in the Lions back row. Otherwise John Eales and David Giffin will be able to disrupt the flow of possession, as they did yesterday.

The Lions must also be careful to conserve energy. They can make no more fitness gains at this late stage and it is worrying that they have played poorly in the final quarter for two weeks running. Therefore it's vital that they go into next week's final Test in Sydney as fresh as possible – Graham Henry will need to keep a close eye on his lieutenants, Phil Larder and Andy Robinson, who might be tempted to repeat the lengthy contact sessions that were a feature earlier in the tour. Sometimes as a coach you have to remember that less can be more.

From a selection point of view the team will probably pick themselves unless injuries clear up. If they do, then there is a case for the introduction of Austin Healey on the wing and Will Greenwood in the centre. But such options pale into insignificance alongside the prospect of an unavailable Jonny Wilkinson and Richard Hill (taken out by an illegal Nathan Grey body-check). If these two are both out then the Lions' chances are serious jeopardised.

The series is by no means lost, but it will require a huge collective mental effort now. It has clearly been a gruelling and demanding tour after a long and arduous domestic season. However, one last effort is not beyond this group of players and management. If supremacy up front can be regained then there are enough game- breakers in the team to secure a victory. But they must seize the initiative and keep hold of it. Mind you, no soft points would be a great help as well.