By Cosmos News Service

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (August 30, 2015) - Spanish legend Raúl assisted Andrés Flores in the second minute and scored a goal of his own in the second half, then Lucky Mkosana netted an 85th-minute winner to propel the New York Cosmos to a 3-2 comeback win over the Carolina RailHawks at Shuart Stadium Sunday afternoon.

With the victory the Cosmos extended their unbeaten streak to eight games and capped off a near-perfect month, finishing August with five wins, two draws and no defeats.

A first half brace from RailHawks midfielder Nazmi Albadawi gave the visitors the lead at the break. But as has often been the case this season, New York triumphed with a strong second half on both ends of the pitch.

“We have great individuals that work together to find good things on the field," said head coach Giovanni Savarese after the game. "We always believe. I think that’s a very important point from everyone.

"Nothing can happen during the game that will turn away the thoughts of the players from accomplishing their goals. Again today, [behind] 2-1, the game was becoming complicated, and we were able to pull it off."

On August 22, New York fell behind by a goal and then used a three-goal spurt in the first 12 minutes of the second half to pull off the victory over Carolina at WakeMed Soccer Park.

On Sunday, with the game level approaching stoppage time, Mkosana pounced on a pass from U.S. U-17 international Haji Wright inside the penalty area and beat Carolina goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald for the go-ahead goal. Mkosana’s tally was his fifth of the season.

“It showed a lot of heart from the team,” said goalkeeper Brian Holt, who made four saves in his first regular season start for the Cosmos. “The guys stuck together and were able to battle back in the second half."

A win helped the Cosmos extend their lead in the NASL's Combined Season Standings and gain ground on Fall Season leaders Ottawa Fury FC. They're now just two points behind the Fury in the Fall Season and seven points clear of them overall.

New York trailed 2-1 until Mkosana was taken down inside the penalty area in the 61^st minute. Raúl stepped to the spot, then went low and to the left side to level the game at two. His fifth goal of the season helped earn him Emirates Cosmos Man of the Match honors.

In a similar sequence, Leo Fernandes was taken down in the box in the 77^th minute to earn another penalty kick chance for the Cosmos. However, Raúl’s opportunity to put his team in the lead hit off the left post.

The RailHawks built their first half lead on the combination of Tiyi Shipalane to Albadawi for both goals. The two would hook up in the 23^rd minute as well as the 42^nd minute to grab a 2-1 halftime lead.

“We came out pretty well in the first ten minutes, but we got complacent," said Fernandes. "I think our attitude was good in the second half to fight back."

New York (5-4-1) started the game in a thunderous way, scoring the game’s first goal in the second minute of play. After earning a free kick five yards outside of the penalty area, Ayoze fed Raúl, who in turn fed a cutting Flores inside the penalty area. The Salvadorian midfielder didn’t miss his opportunity, delivering a perfect strike to the back corner of the net.

The Cosmos look to build on the home victory as they travel to Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla. for a matchup with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Kickoff is slated for Saturday, September 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET.