Defiant Magilton wants Victory to lift

A bitterly disappointed Jim Magilton remains confident he can turn around Melbourne Victory’s ailing Hyundai A-League season.

Magilton’s side conceded yet another late goal to draw 1-1 with Gold Coast United at Aurora Stadium in Launceston on Wednesday.

The latest disappointment means a season without finals football is quickly becoming a reality for the Northern Irishman and his players.

Victory sit three points adrift of the top six and Magilton knows his side cannot afford to continually let in late goals.

“It has been a disease at the club this season,” a blunt Magilton said after the draw with Gold Coast.

“We have to be more resilient to stop that kind of thing. I thought we had done enough to win the game and it is very frustrating.”

Victory do not have long to dwell on what felt like two dropped points against Gold Coast, with a derby clash against Melbourne Heart their next assignment on Saturday.

Magilton said his side ‘need to win a game ugly’, and is hopeful three points against the Heart can kickstart Victory’s season.

“We have so many disappointed people in the dressing room and that is a good thing,” he said.

“But the bottom line is we can’t sit there and feel sorry for ourselves. We have got to use it as motivation for the game on Saturday.”

Magilton is yet to register his first win as Victory coach, but believes one triumph will lead to a succession of positive results.

“In my first five games as manager of Ipswich I lost all five and that was pretty harrowing,” he said.

“I am more determined than ever to turn this around and succeed. We can’t just sit here frustrated at not winning, we have to start winning games.”

While Magilton was disappointed with the result in Launceston, he said the trip to Tasmania was an enjoyable one for the A-League and for his club.

“We couldn’t have been treated any better down here,” Magilton said.

“The fans made a lot of noise tonight and really enjoyed it. Of course I will come back. Especially if you keep producing pitches like that.”