Gabe Farfan couldn't remember the last time he had played as a striker.

But Ventura County Fusion coach Graham Smith knew exactly how well the Cal State Fullerton attacker would perform in his new role.

Quick on the counterattack and composed in the penalty area, Farfan scored twice, attacking midfielder Eric Avila added another and fullback Chance Myers had two assists as the Fusion defeated the Fresno Fuego, 3-2, in a lively USL Premier Development League match Friday night at Newbury Park High.

"We knew that Gabe is an extremely intelligent and technically gifted player," said Smith. "We felt like he could link up well (in attack) ... and he proved it tonight."

The Fusion (4-1), which played without captain and leading scorer Mark Draycott, and Fuego (3-2) entered the day tied on points atop the PDL's Southwest Division.

After 57 minutes, they were tied on goals, 2-2, after Fresno midfielder Nino Blanco forced home a loose ball that had ping-ponged around the home penalty area.

Three minutes later, Farfan got behind the Fresno defense and won the race with the opposing goalkeeper to loop Myers' precise ball forward into an abandoned goal.

"We noticed that their defense wasn't so fast," said Farfan, "so we were trying to get behind them."

It worked so well Fusion goalkeeper Logan Frank picked up the first assist of his life on Farfan's first goal, which knotted the game at 1-1 in the 37th minute.

"I just hit it," said Frank. "It was the only good punt I had all night."

Farfan ran onto the bouncing ball and looped it up and over the on-rushing keeper.

It was all the Fusion could do to make up for a pair of defensive miscues that almost cost it three points.

"We went to sleep at the back," said Smith. "Then we went to sleep at the back again."

The visiting Fuego was on the board shortly after kickoff as midfielder Amaury Nunes broke free into the Fusion area and found striker Pablo Campos alone to send a crashing fourth-minute opening goal past Frank.

If the Fusion doesn't qualify for the U.S. Open Cup it finished its four qualifiers at 3-1, which is just good enough to hold out hope without really feeling confident it will be moments like those at the back that will have cost it the opportunity to face a Major League Soccer team in the country's oldest competition.

"To be honest, I'm not interested in statistics," said Smith. "I'm only interested in performances."

And with four wins and plenty of goals in five matches, those have been pretty special.