Melbourne Victory squandered a three-goal lead only to go on and win it 4-3 in the 96th minute against Newcastle Jets in a chaotic Ninja A-League showdown.
Newcastle had sensationally overturned a three-goal deficit to level things up in the 92nd minute via Sheridan Gallagher at the Home of the Matildas on Friday night.
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But Victory, who had raced out to a 3-0 lead inside 22 minutes thanks to Emily Gielnik’s quick-fire double, had the final say as captain Kayla Morrison dramatically restored the home side’s lead with the final kick of the match.
It was somewhat controversial as a Jets player was down on the ground when Morrison converted but after the referee consulted her assistant, the goal stood and second-placed Victory survived to extend their winning streak to four games and move within two points of leaders Melbourne City while they are unbeaten in nine matches.
Meanwhile, last season’s Semi-Finalists Newcastle saw their three-game winning run snapped, with the Jets ninth and five points outside the top six.
As for the Golden Boot race, Gielnik – who opened the scoring after just 53 seconds – seized control with her two-goal display.
With her brace, CommBank Matildas forward Gielnik took her tally to 12 goals for the season – two ahead of fellow Australia international and City star Holly McNamara in pursuit of her second Golden Boot and first since 2021-22.
only third time in league history a team has come from 3-0 to draw
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Gielnik helped give Victory a fast start at the Home of the Matildas, where Alana Jancevski helped the hosts race out to a 3-0 lead within 22 minutes before the Jets threatened a sensational comeback after scoring twice in the final three minutes of first-half stoppage time.
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However, second-placed Victory held on to extend their winning streak to four games while they are unbeaten in nine matches.
As for Newcastle, last season’s Semi-Finalists saw their three-game winning run snapped, with the Jets ninth and five points outside the top six.
Victory made a dream start at the Home of the Matildas, where Gielnik broke the deadlock after just 53 seconds. Having seen teammate Rachel Lowe attract three defenders, space opened up for the Australia international to sensationally score from an acute angle.
Gielnik was a player on a mission and she made it 2-0 inside 11 minutes thanks to her quick-fire double, heading home from close range.
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It was 3-0 11 minutes later when Jancevski’s long-range effort found the back of the net for her fifth goal of the campaign.
After Gielnik nearly completed her hat-trick, the Jets turned the match on its head within a matter of minutes prior to the interval.
First, a Lauren Allan header reduced the deficit in the 43rd minute to give the Jets a glimmer of hope.
Then, the wildest of deflections aided Sophie Hoban and Newcastle as the ball ricocheted into the back of the net on the stroke of half-time.
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Victory started the second half on the front foot with a couple of opportunities, while Newcastle forced goalkeeper Courtney Newbon into a diving save in the 64th minute.
The contest, though, exploded into life at the death.
Gallagher popped up in the second minute of stoppage time to see the Jets draw level in the closing stages.
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Newcastle were looking to become just the third team in league history to come from 3-0 down to earn a draw.
But Victory had other ideas as the Championship hopefuls broke Newcastle hearts four minutes later.
