An equaliser on debut from Aidan Simmons helped the Western Sydney Wanderers remain top of the FNSW League One Table, drawing 1-1 with Northern Tigers in North Turramurra.
The fullback capped off an impressive performance with a goal 12 minutes from time that cancelled out a Shervin Adeli goal earlier in the second half.
On a cool night in the North Shore, the Wanderers dominated possession in the opening 20 minutes, but struggled to break down a resilient Tigers defence.
Connor Rose and Lochlan Constable each had chances within minutes of each other, before Rose thought he had the opener after converting from an Aiden Mostofi cross.
However, the celebrations were short lived as the striker was adjudged to have been offside.
The Wanderers were unable to make their possession count, and they were punished for it five minutes after half-time.
Lachlan Lloyd latched onto a long ball for the home side, and whilst the initial shot was well saved by Jack Gibson, Adeli was on hand to tap home the rebound.
The goal galvanised the Tigers, and they forced Gibson to make two important saves after the hour mark.
The Wanderers weren’t out of it, and went close through Mostofi, but the winger couldn’t make a clean connection to a Constable cross.
Zac Sapsford was introduced up front in the 70th minute for his debut in Red & Black, and he had a part to play in the equaliser.
He got on the end of a Rose cross, and whilst he was unable to control it, his presence allowed Simmons to find an angle and fire a shot into the roof of the Tigers net.
Both sides had chances late on, with the Tigers hitting the post and Mostofi almost getting onto the end of a Sapsford cross, but there would be no late winning goal for either team.
The result means the Wanderers stay in first with 33 points, ahead of St George City on goal difference; the team returns home next Saturday for a huge clash against the Central Coast Mariners.
