Perth Glory scored two goals in two minutes to snatch an unlikely 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets at nib Stadium on Sunday.
Perth Glory scored two goals in two minutes to snatch an unlikely 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets at nib Stadium on Sunday.
The Jets appeared destined for victory when Adam Taggart’s 14th goal of the season put the visitors ahead after 61 minutes.
But a stunning free kick from Nebojsa Marinkovic in the 84th minute sparked new life into Glory and the home side quickly followed it up only a minute later with another goal from Chris Harold.
It snapped a 10-game winless run for Glory and continued the Perth club’s dominance over Newcastle in recent times.
The Jets have not beaten Glory in their past nine attempts and their only victory in Perth came during the inaugural season of the A-League.
Seventh-placed Newcastle trails Sydney FC by one point on the table with two rounds remaining and are in danger of missing the finals for a fourth straight season with tough matches against Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United to come.
Glory remains last on the table, but sits level with Melbourne Heart on 25 points.
Neither side was able to find the back of the net in the first half as both Newcastle and Perth suffered injury blows.
Zenon Caravella was forced off the pitch in the 17th minute with an ankle injury after landing awkwardly as he blocked a shot from William Gallas.
Former French international Gallas sustained a thigh injury late in the first half and did not reappear after the break.
A goalkeeping blunder from rookie gloveman Jack Duncan almost gifted the Jets a goal in the ninth minute, but Taggart was unable to convert from a tight angle.
Glory created plenty of chances in the first half, but Newcastle goalkeeper Ben Kennedy was rarely troubled.
The best chance of the first half came when Taggart pounced on a brilliant pass from Kew Jaliens and charged towards goal, but he was denied by some clever goalkeeping from Duncan.
Taggart all but secured this season’s Golden Boot award when he volleyed a perfect cross from avid Carney into the back of the net in the 61st minute and the Jets appeared destined for the three points.
Glory peppered chances at goal as full-time loomed, but could not beat the tight defence of Jaliens and Josh Mitchell until Marinkovic stepped up to the plate.
Kennedy could only watch in horror as Marinkovic’s free-kick curled into the top right corner of the net.
Glory regained possession shortly after the restart and the ball was soon with Sidnei, who found Harold in the box and the left winger headed the ball into the left corner, sparking wild celebrations from the Perth team and its supporters.
Perth Glory 2 (Marinkovic 84m, Harold 85m)
Newcastle Jets 1 (Taggart 61m)
