A stunning goal from Matildas forward Emily Gielnik has secured a point for Melbourne Victory after they drew 1-1 with Central Coast Mariners at Industree Group Stadium.
Emily Husband’s side took the lead in the sixth minute through Peta Trimis and then had several opportunities to double their advantage but didn’t take them.
Gielnik secured a point for her side in the 66th minute as she dribbled past two Mariners defenders before unleashing a powerful strike into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Central Coast goalkeeper Casey Dumont then produced three big saves in stoppage time to prevent former club Victory from snatching a late win as both sides left Industree Group Stadium with a point.
The result means the Mariners remain in seventh spot on the ladder, while Melbourne Victory move level on points with fourth placed Western Sydney Wanderers.
The home side took the lead in the sixth minute with their first real attack of the game as Peta Trimis latched on to an Annabel Martin cross, poking home from close range after beating Victory defender Jamilla Rankin to the ball.
Well and truly in control, the Mariners were then inches away from doubling their lead in the 12th minute but Tiarna Karambasis couldn’t connect with Bianca Galic’s ball across the face of goal while Tess Quilligan then struck the crossbar with a dipping effort in the 23rd minute.
Victory finally sprung to life in the 26th minute as McKenzie Weinert picked out Alex Chidiac inside the box however the reigning Julie Dolan medallist blazed her shot over the bar.
The in-form Wurigumula almost took her tally to six goals for the campaign but thankfully for Victory keeper Courtney Newbon her header flew past the far post before the Chinese international then saw a fierce shot deflected over the bar after some desperate defending from Rankin before the break.
After a quite first half Matilda Emily Gielnik then tested Central Coast goalkeeper Casey Dumont in the 53rd minute, sprinting clear of the Mariners backline before seeing her shot well saved by the keeper.
With the home side on top Emily Husband then brought on Rola Badwiya and Matilda Kyah Simon to strengthen their position however Victory bagged their equaliser in the 66th minute with a goal of the season contender from Gielnik.
Latching on to a long ball, the 54-time Australia international drove towards the box, weaving past two Mariners defenders before unleashing a ferocious effort from the edge of the area which flew past Casey Dumont and into the top corner to make it 1-1.
Rola Badawiya then had the home crowd off their seats in the 78th minute as she scampered the length of the Victory half before dragging her left footed shot wide of the far post.
Kyah Simon then almost stole the limelight in the 83rd minute, attempting an audacious lob from 40 metres out after spotting Courtney Newbon off her line, however the striker’s effort sailed narrowly over the bar.
Victory keeper Casey Dumont then thwarted Weinert twice in stoppage time to preserve a point for the home team as both sides left Industree Group Stadium with a share of the spoils.
Meanwhile Gielnik’s goal was Melbourne Victory’s 349th in A-League Women history – leaving them just one shy of joining Sydney FC, Brisbane Roar and Canberra United in the 350 club.
