PACTUCKET, RI >> A scenario with a similar ending for the second consecutive match will likely make the flight home from Rhode Island seem a little longer.

While Monterey Bay FC walked off with a point Saturday in the Union’s longest road trip of the year, the team probably felt it should have had three points.

The Union squandered a 1-0 lead when Rhode Island scored in the 77th minute, playing to a 1-1 draw, temporarily leaving the Union in a tie for first place in the Western Conference in the United Soccer League Championship with San Antonio.

Since spending eight days alone in first place in the Western Conference for the first time in the franchise’s four-year existence, Monterey Bay FC (4-2-4) has gone 0-1-3 in its past four matches.

Last week the Union — who visit Phoenix Rising next Saturday — held a 1-0 lead before Miami FC manufactured a goal in the 88th minute to secure a tie. This time they gave up a goal in the 77th minute.

In Monterey Bay FC’s previous eight matches, it had allowed just one goal in the second half behind a tenacious defense and goalie Nico Campuzano, who has allowed just eight goals in 10 matches, with three shutouts.

Since scoring nine goals during a three-game winning streak earlier this year, the Union have mustered just four goals in their past six matches.

Rhode Island, which fell to Colorado Springs in the USL title match last season, has shaken off a slow start by going 1-1-2 in its past four matches. It has yet to win a home match in its new stadium.

Mayele Malango, who had an assist in last week’s game for the Union, recorded his third goal of the season in the first 17 minutes of the match on an assist from Mobi Fehr to stake them to a 1-0 advantage.

Campuzano was sensational in goal in the first half with a handful of saves. The USL leader came into the match with 34 saves for Monterey Bay FC.

Yet, his bid for his fourth shutout was foiled late in the match when Joe Brito sent a shot into the top right corner for Rhode Island to even the match at 1-1.

Last year the two teams played to a 2-2 draw when Rhode Island produced a late goal.

Malango has three goals and an assist this year, sitting one goal behind team leader Ilijah Paul’s four, and one point behind Paul in points with seven.