Brumbies coach Andy Friend says his side must approach every match for the rest of the season as if it's a grand final after a dramatic Super 14 victory over the Bulls kept their season alive.

The Brumbies won a thrilling encounter at Canberra Stadium 32-31 on Friday, thanks to a try with less than three minutes remaining from flyhalf Christian Lealiifano.

In claiming victory, the Brumbies earned a much-needed bonus point, keeping their 2009 finals hopes alive.

"We definitely needed the win and to get the bonus point was literally that, it was a bonus for us," Friend said.

"If you keep winning you stay in the mix and that's what we've been talking about. Every game now becomes a bit of a grand final for us, we need to win to stay alive."

Mortlock, who shifted to the wing in a reworked Brumbies backline, was crucial to the win, kicking three conversions and two penalties, including the vital extras after Lealiifano's try to win the game.

With their season on the line, the Brumbies looked to spread the ball early and it paid dividends with the home side crossing the line in the fourth minute through a try to blindside flanker Mitchell Chapman.

The Bulls hit back almost immediately when Lealiifano attempted to spread the ball wide, only for it to land in the clutches of winger Bryan Habana, who raced 60 metres to score under the posts.

The Brumbies were in again five minutes later after outside centre Tyrone Smith, kicking from deep in his own half, found touch just five metres from the South African side's tryline.

Lock Peter Kimlin then crossed for a try after the hosts won the subsequent Bulls lineout.

Mortlock, on fire with the boot, again added the conversion, taking the score to 17-7.

But the Bulls weren't done, and responded by exposing the Brumbies defence out wide, giving fullback Zane Kirchner the space to cross the line for the visitors' second five-pointer.

Brumbies captain Stephen Hoiles then scored in the corner on the stroke of half-time to help the home side take a 22-17 lead following a pulsating first half and the drama continued right until the final whistle.

The Bulls took the lead for the first time in the match 20 minutes from full-time when centre Wynand Olivier crossed and Morne Steyn kicked the extras to take the score to 24-22.

The visitors then scored their fourth try with just over 10 minutes to go and looked like they would hold on for the win.

Mortlock kicked a penalty in the 72nd minute to cut the Bulls' lead back to six, ensuring a thrilling finish to the match, before kicking the winning points.

Mortlock said the Brumbies lost concentration for periods of the match, adding that it was something the team would look to address as they push for a finals berth.

"For long periods of time we defended really well, but for some reason we let it slip and let the opposition in for cheap points. In this tournament, you really can't afford to do that."

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