The contest at Moon Oval saw the Tigers lead by three with six minutes on the clock, but the Demons would score 12 unanswered goals to end the game to win by nine, 61-52.
The game was full of momentum swings for both sides, starting with Shepp United jumping out to an early 12-5 lead, which it converted into an 18-9 advantage by quarter-time.
The second term was more even, punctuated by a late Rochester burst that cut what had become an 11-goal lead down to seven at the main break.
It took the entire third, but eventually the Tigers were able to claw their way back to parity, and a stretch that saw Rochy score 10 of the final 12 of the term brought the host a one-goal lead at the final change.
Rochester held firm for nine of the remaining 15 minutes, extending the lead to three, before the massive Demons’ run sealed the game in a heartbreaker for the locals.
Tia Webb and Marli Cottam shared the ball around the ring for Rochy, logging 28 and 24 goals respectively, while Abby Gilmore shouldered the load for United with 35.
Unlucky not to pick up win number three, Rochester instead declines to 2-9 for the season.
The Tigers face another clash with a side just a few places above them on the table next week, taking the long road to Mansfield (5-6).
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