The Western Sydney Wanderers were held to a 2-2 draw against Melbourne City after a dramatic finish at CommBank Stadium.
The Wanderers held a two goal lead after Nicolas Milanovic starred in the opening period of the game, but two Kai Trewin goals – including one from the spot – gave the visitors a share of the spoils in a thrilling contest.
Western Sydney headed into the match having won four home games in a row and carrying a long unbeaten run, as well as knowing a win would take them up to third and potentially secure a finals berth.
But Melbourne, who knew defeat would end their minor premiership dreams, started strongly and forced two great stops from Lawrence Thomas, who also had some help from Anthony Pantazopoulos.
They would be important moments, as Zac Sapsford then had a good chance on the counter, before Milanovic stole the show.
His first goal was a thing of beauty as he beat Socceroo Aziz Behich down the right, and he curled a perfectly placed shot into the bottom corner past Pat Beach in the Melbourne goal.
It was his 12th of the league campaign and takes him to the top of the scoring charts, as he continues his amazing run of form to end the season.
He was in the thick of the action for the Wanderers’ second just minutes later, as he was once again too much for the defence to handle; he broke down the byline, and his cross was turned into his own goal by Trewin.
Brandon Borrello then had a couple of good chances on goal, whilst Thomas then pulled off an amazing save as the visitors grew into the game.
Melbourne then pulled one back in the 36th minute as Trewin found himself scoring in the right goal from a corner situation.
Oscar Priestman then had a golden chance on the cusp of half-time as a poor Beach clearance fell at his feet, but he rushed the shot and his effort went wide of the open goal.
The Wanderers started strong in the second period as Milanovic and Borrello linked up well down the right, but the latter couldn’t get his shot properly hit on goal.
Thomas made another smart stop to thwart City as Borrello kept creating chances, before Milanovic’s great curling effort this time was met by an equally good save from Beach as the Wanderers looked to restore the two goal advantage.
Both sides pushed for an important goal in the context of the game and in the season, but it was the visitors who really cranked up the pressure in the final 10 minutes.
It paid off, as they won a penalty after a Pantazopoulos foul, and Trewin just converted it as Thomas was agonisingly close to saving it.
The drama didn’t stop there, as the Wanderers then had a free-kick wide right in the fifth minute of added time; Alex Gersbach swung a sweet delivery that cannoned off substitute Marcus Antonsson and into the goal.
However, as the Wanderers were about to celebrate a late winner with the RBB, the goal was chalked off for offside, as Pantazopoulos was adjudged to have interfered with the goalkeeper in the buildup.
The Wanderers were then denied a late chance when the referee blew the final whistle, despite Priestman being in the midst of a lightning quick counter-attack down the right hand side of the field.
It was a tough finish for the Wanderers, but a positive result that keeps them in the Top Four and knowing a win will officially return them to the finals next week.
