Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory have been forced to settle for a point after playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
First-half goals to Mateo Poljak and Andrew Nabbout gave the Jets the lead after an early Adam Taggart strike before a goal to Andy Keogh restored parity at the beginning of the second stanza.
Glory completely dominated the early stages and took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes with former Jet Adam Taggart pouncing on a shocking error from Lachlan Jackson to make it 1-0.
The visitors continued to press and were unlucky not to double their advantage less than seven minutes later after Chris Harold struck the woodwork with a header after a lovely ball from Joseph Mills.
Newcastle worked their way into the contest and forced a series of corners as the first half progressed but failed to truly test Glory keeper Liam Reddy.
In a see-sawing contest, Glory duo Adam Taggart and Andy Keogh both failed to capitalise on clear-cut chances and it proved costly as Newcastle struck in quick succession.
Mateo Poljak restored parity from the penalty spot after a foul from Shane Lowry on Morten Nordstrand before Andrew Nabbout fired the hosts in front right on the stroke of half-time.
Perth started the second half the brighter and grabbed a deserved equaliser just 10 minutes after the break with Andy Keogh on hand to fire home from close range.
The free-flowing affair continued as the game wore on with both sides creating chances as they searched for a winner.
Adam Taggart came closest to breaking the deadlock with 20 minutes remaining but the 23-year-old’s close range effort was well-saved by Jack Duncan.
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GOALS
0-1 Perth Glory: Adam Taggart, 7’
A shocking error from Jets defender Lachlan Jackson inside his own box gifted Taggart a free strike on goal with the striker calmly stroking the ball past Jack Duncan.
1-1 Newcastle Jets: Mateo Poljak (PEN), 37’
Shane Lowry was adjudged to have pulled down Morten Nordstrand inside the box with Jets skipper Poljak stepping up to dispatch an assured spot kick past Liam Reddy.
2-1 Newcastle Jets: Andrew Nabbout, 45+1’
Morten Nordstrand pounced on a sloppy turnover by the Glory and teed up Nabbout inside the area with the winger wriggling free of his defender before sliding the ball into the back of the net.
2-2 Perth Glory: Andy Keogh, 56’
Chris Harold was afforded space on the right flank and whipped in a fizzing cross to the back post which Keogh poked home expertly on the stretch.
KEY MOMENT
With his side trailing 2-1 at the start of the second stanza, Glory star Diego Castro had a gilt-edged chance to bring the visitors level. Chris Harold did well to fire a ball across the face of goal which somehow found its way to Castro but the Spaniard could only fire a strike into the post from six yards with only Duncan to beat.
RED CARD
Glory skipper Rostyn Griffiths was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card for a foul on Devante Clut late in the second stanza. Griffiths appeared to be shown a straight red card after protesting the decision to referee Stephen Lucas.
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