Central Coast Mariners have escaped from AAMI Park with a hard-fought point after clawing back from a two-goal deficit to draw with Melbourne City.
With full-time rapidly approaching and Central Coast staring down the barrel of a fourth consecutive defeat, captain John Hutchinson salvaged a point with a brilliant strike from outside the box that sent the visitors into raptures.
Melbourne scored the early opener when Mate Dugandzic latched onto the end of Iain Ramsey’s pinpoint cross and headed the ball past ‘keeper Liam Reddy in the 10th minute.
A City turnover allowed Nick Fitzgerald to fire off a low, powerful shot on goal minutes later, but strong keeping from Andrew Redmayne kept the ball away from the net.
The home side had a number of chances on goal but were unable to increase their lead over a lackluster Central Coast, heading into the break with a one-goal lead.
Phil Moss’ side emerged from half time firing and looked to pull one back but it was City stopper Redmayne who was able to deny the visitors yet again.
Good lead-up play and a brilliant cross from City’s Damien Duff resulted in an Erik Paartalu goal as the home side doubled its lead in the 53rd minute.
Liam Reddy then prevented what would have been a sealer from Marc Marino – with the substitute striking from close range – leaping into action to block a third goal.
Although frustrated at times and struggling to find a reply, the visitors were able to hold on and nab a goal in the 80th minute when Glen Trifiro’s beautifully-struck free-kick curled past the reach of Andrew Redmayne to make it 2-1.
With renewed hopes of a comeback, the Mariners’ never say die attitude sparked a desire to avoid a fourth straight loss in a tense final few minutes.
With the game clock into the final seconds of stoppage time, and the home crowd willing Melbourne City to hold onto its one-goal advantage, the AAMI Park cheers morphed into stunned silence as Mariners skipper Hutchinson launched from outside the box with a final roll of the dice and beat Andrew Redmayne to deny City back-to-back victories.
The result puts pressure on John van’t Schip’s side to get back onto the winners’ list when City welcome Sydney FC to AAMI Park on Saturday 22 November, with kick-off scheduled for 7:30 pm (AEST).
Melbourne City FC 2 (Dugandzic 10′, Paartalu 53′) drew with Central Coast Mariners FC 2 (Trifiro 79′, Hutchinson 90+4′) at AAMI Park
Melbourne City FC: 1.Andrew Redmayne (GK), 3.Robbie Wielaert, 5.Erik Paartalu, 28.Liam Miller, 7.Iain Ramsay, 25 Jacob Melling (18.Paulo Retre 85’), 11.Damien Duff, 15.David Williams (26.Marc Marino 63’), 17.Jason Hoffman, 23.Mate Dugandzic (14.James Brown 75’), 24.Patrick Kisnorbo (Captain)
Substitutes not used: 20.Tando Velaphi (GK), 27.Ross Archibald
Yellow Cards: D. Duff 72’, J. Melling 78’
Red Cards: Nil
Central Coast Mariners FC: 12. Liam Reddy (GK), 3.Josh Rose, 4.Jacob Poscoliero, 5.Zac Anderson, 7.John Hutchinson (Captain), 8.Nick Montgomery (18.Glen Trifiro 62’), 9.Mitchell Duke (23.Isaka Cernak 78’), 10.Anthony Caceres, 11.Nick Fitzgerald, 15.Matt Sim (17.Richárd Vernes 67’), 21.Michael Neill
Substitutes not used: 1.Matt Nash (GK), 25.Eddy Bosnar
Yellow Cards: N. Fitzgerald 57’
Red Cards: Nil