A late penalty goal from Eli Adams sealed a 2-2 draw for the Newcastle Jets away to Melbourne Victory
Eli Adams started with a fire lit under him, threading an unbelievable pass through to Lachlan Rose, but Warshawsky denied the striker from close range. Just minutes later, Adams would take it upon himself to open the scoring, receiving the ball from Burgess before turning and smashing the ball into the back of the net.
Victory would quickly mount a comeback, with Nduka scoring two goals in quick succession to give Melbourne a 2-1 lead inside 35 minutes. The score remained at 2-1 to Melbourne Victory heading into halftime.
The Jets came out in desperate search for an equaliser. Clayton Taylor had a golden chance just minutes after the start of the half, getting in behind but narrowly dragging his shot wide from the tight angle. James Delianov made a brilliant reflex save in the 58th minute, denying Victory a third.
Ben Gibson, who replaced Rose in the 71st minute, nearly equalised with one of his first touches, ghosting between the two Victory centre-backs to poke the ball towards goal. Warshawsky did well to make himself big and deny the substitute a goal.
With just moments left in regulation, Lachlan Bayliss was chopped down inside the box, leaving referee Alex King no choice but to award the penalty. Eli Adams stepped up and calmy slotted his effort straight down the middle of the goal, levelling the scores at 2-2 in the 89th minute.
Bertoncello had a late chance to win it, but couldn’t keep his effort low enough, rattling the bar before sailing out of play. That was the final chance of the game, with the deadlock remaining at 2-2.
The Jets take on the Central Coast Mariners next Saturday in the F3 Derby, in what could be a deciding game in the race for the premiership. Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE.
