The Western Bulldogs have fallen agonisingly short to Adelaide at Mars Stadium in Ballarat.

A frenetic final quarter saw the two sides exchange goals early, before back-to-back Bulldog majors through Josh Schache and Josh Dunkley saw them snatch a two-point lead.

But 11 minutes left to play was more than enough time for the Crows to execute their comeback, producing the next four scoring opportunities to leave the hosts chasing a seven-point margin in the dying minutes.

A captain’s goal from Marcus Bontempelli closed the gap to a single point, but with seven seconds left on the clock there was nothing else the Dogs could do in the 9.8 (62) to 8.15 (63) affair.

A somewhat sluggish start saw the visitors control the opening 10 minutes, before the Bulldogs started to find their groove.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan kicked the Dogs’ first after a couple of early behinds, with Adam Treloar and Aaron Naughton contributing one each not long after to establish an early lead.

The second quarter was more congested, as both sides wrestled for the footy with little reward on the scoreboard.

The Bulldogs found a way forward in the third through Naughton and Schache, but still found themselves trailing by three at the final break.

What ensued was a rollercoaster of emotions for Dogs’ fans, as they watched the Crows run away with the slimmest of margins.

Tom Liberatore led the stats sheets with 33 disposals, nine tackles and 10 clearances, while Bailey Dale provided flair off the half-backline with 32 touches and 790 metres gained.  

Josh Dunkley (28, 10 tackles, six clearances) and Bailey Smith (29, six inside 50s) contributed well in the midfield, supported by Jack Macrae (25, six clearances).

Adam Treloar finished with two goals to his name, while Anthony Scott and Ryan Gardner impressed.

The Bulldogs will next turn their attention to Essendon on Sunday 1 May at Marvel Stadium.

WESTERN BULLDOGS     3.5     3.7     5.8     9.8     (62)
ADELAIDE                      2.4     3.7     5.11     8.15     (63)

GOALS  
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 2, Treloar 2, Schache 2, Ugle-Hagan, Dunkley, Bontempelli
Adelaide: Walker 3, McAdam 2, Sholl, Gollant, McHenry

BEST   
Western Bulldogs: Liberatore, Dale, Macrae, Smith, Treloar
Adelaide: Laird, Frampton, Keays, O'Brien, Crouch

INJURIES  
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Adelaide: Gollant (nose), McAdam (knee, calf)

SUBSTITUTES  
Western Bulldogs: Rhylee West (unused)
Adelaide: Will Hamill (unused)