The British and Irish Lions have beaten a brave Wallabies outfit 23-21 in a bruising Test match Replacement Kurtley Beale has missed a penalty on the final siren as the Wallabies suffered a heartbreaking loss to the British and Irish Lions in the first test. Kurtley Beale of the Wallabies slips over while attempting what would of been the winning goal during the first Test match between Australia and the British and Irish Lions played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Picture: Darren England Source: The Sunday Telegraph Israel Folau dives to prevent George North scoring a try for the Lions during the Test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Israel Folau crosses to score his first try of the game against the British and Irish Lions. Picture: Mccormack Chris Source: The Courier-Mail Israel Folau of the Wallabies scores a try during the First Test match between the Australian Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium. Christian Lealiifano taken off injured in the first minute of play Picture: Chris Mccormack Source: The Courier-Mail SUPER freak Israel Folau last night blasted a two-try volley on debut that deserved far better than a numbing Wallabies loss from a goalkicking meltdown in a ground record cauldron at Suncorp Stadium. Slip, slidin' away. That was the gut-knotting moment on full-time when replacement fullback Kurtley Beale missed a 45m penalty goal attempt from in front which would have stolen a titanic struggle from the British and Irish Lions. Beale was a picture of anguish as frozen British and Irish Lions players grabbed a 23-21 escape at Suncorp Staidum that may prove to be the winning of a titanic series. Australia's replacement fullback for the final 41 minutes never had a chance of repeating his dream-making kick of Bloemfontein in 2010 when he sunk South Africa on the bell because he slipped in the muddied stud tracks of the very scrum from which the Wallabies had earned a dubious penalty. After the life turmoil he has been through with his alcohol-related dramas, it would have been a villain to hero high. Super freak Israel Folau blasted a two-try volley on debut that deserved far better than a numbing Wallabies loss from a goalkicking meltdown in a ground record cauldron of 52,499. There is an Everest for the Wallabies to climb to get back into the series because last night's dressing room was like the Royal Brisbane Hospital emergency ward. An appalling four-from-nine effort with the boot frittered away 14 potential points when James O'Connor (2-from-5) and Beale (2-from-4) were used after first-choice goalkicker Christian Lealiifano was stretchered off after just 52 seconds from a thumping head knock. Lealiifano's exit was followed by fullback Berrick Barnes (jaw), replacement centre Pat McCabe (neck), winger Digby Ioane (shoulder-elbow) and centre Adam Ashley-Cooper (shoulder) in a stunning collision count. Replacement half Nick Phipps finished on the wing and flanker Michael Hooper was forced to play the final 33 minutes in the centres. "To put themselves in a position to win in such trying circumstances was a courageous performance that stacks up beside any," coach Robbie Deans said. Andrew Slack: Injuries ruin fine Wallabies display We still came second. We need to go to Melbourne (for Saturday's second Test) and win. There will have to be changes for injuries but I can assure you Israel will have a jersey. Captain James Horwill sought out Beale to console him after full-time: "KB did as well as he could. I told him not to worry about it...everyone in the team still loves him. LIons skipper Sam Warburton dreaded the kick's result: "It was one of the worst minutes of my life, when I thought it was going to go over, to be honest." It was the most remarkable show of pure guts and willpower from the Wallabies to get as close as they did. The new neck injury to McCabe may trigger a career reappraisal after the neck fracture he suffered in November last year. He reeled out of a ruck in distress just after half-time and when he went down shortly after, the medicab was called to carefully stretcher off a second Australian player for the night. Fullback Berrick Barnes (jaw) reeled out of an accidental head clash with Folau and will have scans. Hooper moving to inside centre was seized on by the clinical Lions within 90 seconds when a scything Alex Cuthbert dashed over although his passage was made easier by Brian O'Driscoll obstructing James O'Connor. It was guts from the Wallabies to peg the margin back to 20-18 and 23-21. It might have been a drawn score if a brilliant 45m solo run from nothing by replacement fullback Beale had been rewarded with a try rather than a penalty goal. Second Test: Injuries open door for Quade The clamour and jet-engine volume of the packed house of 52,499 turned silent just 52 seconds into the Test when the luckless Lealiifano was ended by a sickening head knock. He was out cold from the instant his head hit the hip of Lions opposite number Jonathan Davies who crashed into his tackle. It was from a quick tap that Wallaby standout Will Genia produced a golden escape after the Wallabies had resisted 20 phases of pressure in their quarter. He took off on a weaving 50m run, turned rival Mike Phillips inside out and when hemmed in showed his star class. He stabbed a little right-foot grubber that was seized by winger Folau who charged over for a try with his first touch of the ball as a Wallaby. The Wallabies have picked up some serious injuries in tonight's match with the Lions in Brisbane. The 7-3 start evaporated midway through the half when Lions powerhouse George North trumped Folau with a breathtaking 60m solo try on a kick return off a poor Barnes high ball. Folau's ability to step up on the wing into a colossal Test after just 14 Super Rugby matches as a fullback had been questioned by Lions defence coach Andy Farrell. He should have been questioning his defenders instead when "Wow Folau" struck in the closing minutes of the first half. The side-to-side play of the Wallabies opened up a hint of room when backrower Ben Mowen delivered a pinpoint final pass. Folau still had the red sea ahead of him but he stepped Jonny Sexton, brutally palmed prop Alex Corbisiero and dashed for try No.2. LIONS 23 (A Cuthbert, G North tries; L Halfpenny 2 cons; 3 pens) bt AUSTRALIA 21 (I Folau 2 tries; J O'Connor con; K Beale 2, O'Connor pens) at Suncorp Stadium. Read how all the action unfolded below with our match blog.