Two struggling teams, sitting on the bottom of the table, both possessing about as much confidence as a gunslinger going to the showdown with a paper dart.
The Force probably deserved to win, for it showed more endeavour in attack and had more accuracy at key times.
For the Highlanders, it was the same old story: too many errors, too many woeful and out-of-form players, and too many dumb plays.
It will take a miracle now for the Highlanders to avoid the wooden spoon. And, going by the performance on Saturday night, it is deserved.
They were ahead with three minutes to go but replacement winger Tino Nemani tackled Force fullback Jayden Hayward in the air, and was rightfully penalised. Hayward, the former Highlander, got up and knocked over the penalty to win the match.
The Highlanders tried to get back in the final minute but - and this sums up the season - replacement first five-eighth Colin Slade dropped the ball cold with plenty of men outside him.
That was the last of many mistakes from the visiting side. It did not score a try but that was because it just could not hold on to the ball.
If it was not forwards dropping it, then it was halfback Aaron Smith throwing inaccurate passes.
Ma'a Nonu went close with about 20 minutes to go but was held up against the post. Shortly after - you guessed it - the Highlanders turned it over.
Best for the Highlanders was fullback Ben Smith, who is the one shining light in a dismal season.
The Highlanders seem to have mastered the art of starting poorly and did it once again with little ball and plenty of errors. What ball they got, they coughed it up with alarming regularity.
The Highlanders would do something positive but then would drop the ball or throw an average pass.
They were behind by just the four points at the break and it could have been a lot worse. The Force had the majority of the ball and went through more than 20 phases for a period after five minutes but the Highlanders held strong.
The Highlanders' defence was breached after 15 minutes, for what turned out to be the only try of the game. Hayward made a nice break from a backline move and he was lowered a couple of metres short of the line. The ball was then quickly moved on and first five-eighth Sias Ebersohn dived over in the corner.
Hayden Parker scored two penalties in the first half for the Highlanders, while Slade bagged four in the second half.
Highlanders v Force
The scores
Force 19
Sias Ebersohn try; Jayden Hayward con, 4 pen
Highlanders 18
Colin Slade 4 pen, Hayden Parker 2 pen
Halftime: Force 10-6.
