Skipper Daniel Moore returned from his hamstring injury and was best afield against his old side, helping to setup an epic clash against fellow unbeaten side Fitzroy Stars in Round 6.
Epping was forced to come from behind at three-quarter time for the second time this year, before grinding out the 14.8 (92) to 12.10 (82) win at Shelley Park.
North Heidelberg looked in control early with the wind, kicking the first two goals through Paul King and Steve Saddington but Simon Kefalas would soon get one back for Epping.
Midway through the term, Ben Naylon snagged one for North putting it in front by two goals before Shaun Hamling kicked his first goal in his first game in the Epping seniors this year.
Soon after Daniel Moore brought Epping within two points with an important goal, before Shaun Garland had the chance to put the visitors in front for the first time with a shot after the quarter-time siren, but failed to score.
Matt Dornauf opened the scoring in second term for the Blues who had the wind, but like North Heidelberg they didn’t take full advantage of it.
Both sides went goal for goal for most of the quarter before Epping opened up a 10-point lead going into the main break on the back of two consecutive goals.
North came out firing after half time and booted two goals early in the third term to be tied with Epping at 48 points apiece.
After missing a simple shot, Aaron Willitts atoned with a major shortly after to give Epping a one-goal lead, but North hit right back with two of their own, the second from Leigh Gilbert giving the Bulldogs a nine-point lead at the final break.
Epping coach Mario Bandera pleaded for his players to keep working hard and not rely solely on the wind advantage. He told them to kick long and leave their key forwards one out.
Not long into the quarter Willitts was found all alone in the goal square and brought Epping to within two points.
Then Adrian Totino worked some magic from the boundary, getting around four North players and snagging one from 50m out to give Epping a three-point lead.
North wasn’t done yet and regained the lead with the next two goals, including one from Naylon, to again open up a nine-point lead late in the final quarter.
Josh Stavely booted a goal to get the Blues back within three points, before key backman Matt Garland moved forward in a significant tactical switch. Garland bagged the next two goals to give Epping a famous 10-point win.
Epping now hosts Fitzroy Stars in this week NFL Match of the Day with the winner to take a one-game lead atop the Division 2 table, while North Heidelberg travels to Coventry Oval to take on Diamond Creek in a battle for third position.
Final score: North Heidelberg 12.10 (82) def by Epping 14.8 (92)
