Melbourne Victory have again squandered a lead, conceding a dramatic late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Gold Coast United.
Harry Kewell struck a brilliant 66th-minute free-kick to put Jim Magilton’s side ahead in the A-League clash in Launceston on Wednesday, but Michael Thwaite came back to haunt his former side with a stoppage time equaliser.
It was the second consecutive game a former Victory defender has levelled against them after Sydney FC’s Sebastian Ryall scored in Thursday’s 2-2 draw.
Magilton, who took charge on January 7, was denied his first win as Victory coach as his team moved to within three points of sixth-placed Sydney, while Gold Coast remain anchored to the bottom of the table.
After being the most dangerous player on the pitch throughout the encounter at Aurora Stadium, Kewell deservedly opened the scoring.
Forward Jean Carlos Solorzano won a free-kick after being fouled by Kristian Rees, and Kewell blasted his 25-yard effort through the wall and into the bottom corner.
But they were again pushed on the back foot late in the encounter and Thwaite made them pay.
He ran onto a touch from Maceo Rigters before holding off Leigh Broxham and placing his first goal into the bottom corner.
