URC: Lions score try at the death to snatch a dramatic victory against the Sharks

Going into the final minute, the visitors were 22-18 down but replacement scrumhalf Pead broke away to dot down in the corner as the Lions snapped a four-game losing streak.

The home side had the game in their grasp but will regret not taking several kickable penalties while flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse did not have the best day with the boot, missing three conversions.

The Lions started the contest in fine fettle as they raced into a 15-0 lead as Etienne Oosthuizen and Francke Horn went over for tries while Chris Smith succeeded with a penalty and a conversion.

The Sharks hit back through Manu Tshituka and Siya Kolisi while Hendrikse struck a conversion to bring his team to within three points.

Smith added another penalty to extend the Lions' lead but the Sharks scored another try when an attack deep in their own half resulted in Jason Jenkins dotting down as the Sharks into halftime 18-17 behind.

The second half was a more scrappy affair with the highlight being Edwill van der Merwe scoring a try that took the hosts into the lead for the first time.

It seemed that the Sharks would hold on for a narrow win until Pead's heroics before  the full-time whistle.