The Wellington Phoenix was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with the North Queensland Fury at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday night.
Wellington took the lead in the 5th minute courtesy of a Tim Brown header before North Queensland levelled the scores in the six minutes from time minute with a Robbie Fowler header into the back of the net.
The Phoenix and the Fury had their chances in the first half but it was the visitors who managed to capitalise before both sides found their attacking flair in the second period.
The draw marks a record sixth consecutive draw for the visitors and a fifth consecutive draw for the home side, which is still looking for a win at home.
Wellington coach Ricki Herbert said there were some positives in another draw.
“I think we created a bit of a record tonight, it is not one that you want to have but the Fury was really hard to beat,” he said.
“You can say we are the hardest teams to beat in the league this year but we would like three points.”
North Queensland coach Ian Ferguson said he was glad to walk away with a draw after conceding the early goal.
“After the start of the game we had, being one down again early, it is the same old cliches (but) the boys have been fantastic,” he said.
“It was a game of two halves again, Wellington was the better team in the first half and we were the better team in the second.”
“We couldn’t slot it in but it would be more worrying for me if we were not making chances.”
North Queensland had a golden chance in the first minute when a pin-point through-ball allowed James Robinson to gallop past the defensive line to be one-on-one with the goalkeeper but he pulled his shot wide.
Wellington responded in the fifth minute with Paul Ifill rampaging down the right wing before delivering an inch-perfect cross for a Tim Brown header into the net.
The two sides had their opportunites for the remainder of the half with numerous crosses and breakaways but could not capitalise.
The Fury pushed forward after the break with Jeremy Brockie charging down the right wing before driving a cross into the path of a sliding Daniel McBreen but he failed to take control and the ball bounced off his knees and over the touch line.
Dyron Daal came off the bench after one hour and showed a set of clean heals to stride past defenders and swing in a cross to a sliding Robbie Fowler, but he also could not slot it past the goalkeeper.
McBreen then dashed passed a huddle of defenders to receive a controversial free kick but skied the ball over the charging goalkeeper which sparked a small scuffle as the ball should have been played back to the opposition who was in possession before time was stopped for an injury.
The Phoenix had its opportunites, none better then when opposition goalkeeper Paul Henderson came out of his box and to the right to make a clearance but it went straight to an attacker.
Daniel was left on the turf after a strong challenge and had to be stretched off which gave both sides a welcome drink break from a warm night.
Chris Tadrosse afterwards sprinted down the left win and hammered a cross to an unmarked Fowler who showed his class to head it into the net in the 84th minute.
North Queensland Fury 1 (Fowler 84)
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Brown 5,)
Crowd 6,191 at Dairy Farmers Stadium
