Georgia Campagnale sensationally struck in the 97th minute to rescue a 1-1 draw for Adelaide United and deny Melbourne City a much-needed win at CB Smith Reserve on Saturday.
All hope of the Reds remaining undefeated appeared lost until midfielder Campagnale speared an unerring finish into the bottom-left corner deep into added time.
Kyah Simon had broken the deadlock from the penalty spot earlier in the second half, but the Champions were left to rue a late lapse that extends their winless streak to three matches.
ANALYSIS: Cool-headed Heyman delivers in the end for Adelaide United
STUNNING!@campagnale_G's first goal in the @WLeague is a 97th minute equaliser. #WLeague #MCYvADL
? @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/EaFkbfiLYb— Westfield W-League (@WLeague) December 1, 2018
Though they enjoyed the best of the opening 15 minutes, City were fortunate not to fall behind when Michelle Heyman finished wide in a one-on-one gifted by Chelsea Blissett’s underhit back-pass.
Yukari Kinga went closer with a shot into the near post and the woodwork denied the hosts for a second time after the interval, Simon heading against the crossbar.
Relief soon came, though, as Amber Brooks’ trip on Tameka Butt enabled City’s star striker to roll home the 54th-minute spot-kick.
Influential winger Jasmyne Spencer almost doubled the advantage with a goal-bound effort that deflected narrowly wide off Emma Checker.
Heyman’s frustrating night continued in the 79th minute, her looping header coming back off the bar with what looked to be the visitors’ final chance.
But the Westfield Matildas forward maintained her cool to play a key part in the eventual equaliser, dummying a Brooks pass from which Campagnale clinically maintained Adelaide’s unbeaten start.
