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Melbourne Victory substitute Lleyton Brooks struck deep into stoppage time to earn his side an important point in a 1-1 Melbourne Derby draw with Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon.
Victory were facing the prospect of a club-first wooden spoon as City opened up a one-goal advantage through a Nick Ansell own goal in the 54th minute before Brooks emerged from the bench to restore parity in the 95th minute of play, ensuring his side moved back above Newcastle Jets into 11th spot on the A-League table.
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After beating Victory 6-0 and 7-0 in their previous two games, City looked set to win all three derbies in a season for the first time via Nick Ansell s unfortunate own goal in the 54th minute, before Brooks struck late.
The result means Victory will have to wait for City s rescheduled game against Newcastle - the timing of which will be confirmed later this week - to learn if they will avoid a club-first wooden spoon.
Victory are a point ahead of the Jets but Newcastle s goal difference is vastly superior.
It was City s first game without Socceroos trio Jamie Maclaren, Curtis Good and Connor Metcalfe, while Craig Noone (soreness) was rested.
A-League - Melbourne City v Central Coast
Sport by Nick DâUrbano 22nd May 2021 10:22 PM
Melbourne City have officially secured their first ever piece of A-League silverware in their 11-year history, securing the Premiers Plate with a dramatic 1-0 win over the Central Coast Mariners.
Craig Nooneâs second-half header was enough for City to see-off their dogged opponents who made the going difficult.
However, it was almost snatched away as referee Shaun Evans awarded a late Central Coast penalty after Aiden OâNeill was seen to have fouled Mark Birighitti.
After VAR intervention, the penalty was rubbed out â sending the Melbourne faithful into delirium.
A-League - Melbourne City v Central Coast
Sport by Nick DâUrbano 22nd May 2021 10:22 PM
Melbourne City have officially secured their first ever piece of A-League silverware in their 11-year history, securing the Premiers Plate with a dramatic 1-0 win over the Central Coast Mariners.
Craig Nooneâs second-half header was enough for City to see-off their dogged opponents who made the going difficult.
However, it was almost snatched away as referee Shaun Evans awarded a late Central Coast penalty after Aiden OâNeill was seen to have fouled Mark Birighitti.
After VAR intervention, the penalty was rubbed out â sending the Melbourne faithful into delirium.