Ten man Queensland battle to draw with Melbourne

Melbourne Victory have had a late strike by Daniel Allsopp to thank for what will be considered a disappointing 1-1 draw against a Queensland side who had only ten men for more than an hour.

Matt McKay was sent off in what was another controversial refereeing decision after just 40 minutes, but an excellent Michael Baird volley gave the hosts hope for an unlikely win until the 88th minute equaliser.

The Victory paired Allsopp up front with Archie Thompson in what is possibly the A-League's best strike force, and also welcomed back Andy Vlahos after injury.

However it was the Roar with the most promising early attack which saw Baird and Richter combine to put Brosque into space, only for the prodigiously talented striker to volley into the grateful arms of keeper Theoklitos.

Two of the Roar's diminutive stars Jonti Richter and Matt Mckay combined well to set up the latter for a long range effort, but McKay's shot curved away from goal and the end to end action continued goalless.

Queensland were experiencing the better early chances and yet another arose when Brosque had a free kick just outside of the area.

The strike hit the wall but Brosque volleyed the rebound back into the danger area where Richter flicked the ball on, only for Baird to kick the keeper rather than the ball and pick up a yellow card.

Brosque again tried his luck from a Richter pull back but a deflection saw the ball roll through harmlessly to the goalkeeper.

Archie Thompson had looked quiet throughout the first half but he showed his unquestionable quality with an excellent run and shot, only to be denied by a great save from Willis.

Andy Vlahos was creating chances on his return to the side and his cut back was struck first time from 20 yards by Kitzbichler onto the post.

What was proving an absorbing contest was then struck a potentially damaging blow when yet another early season red card was brandished, this time to Queensland midfielder Matt McKay.

McKay was himself the victim of a horrendous challenge by Claeys in a pre season match and there was a hint of retaliation in his late challenge on Steve Pantelidis, although in truth it was a harsh straight red which will pose further questions regarding the strictness of referee's so far this season.

The Victory came out for the second half determined to impose their numerical advantage and an Andy Vlahos corner was headed narrowly wide by Geoffrey Claeys in the early exchanges.

Kevin Muscat had the best of a flurry of Melbourne chances with a strong header saved by keeper Tom Willis but the hosts were proving stubborn in defence despite only having ten men on the field.

Thompson found himself on the end of another good Vlahos cross but turned his effort wide, one getting the impression Melbourne just might pay for their profligacy in front of goal.

And the majority of the 15,444 fans at Suncorp stadium rose in delight as against the odds the Roar did take the lead in the 62nd minute.

After a previous run from Brosque ended unsuccessfully down the left the former Marconi man cut in from the right and delivered a beautiful pass to his strike partner Baird who made no mistake with a brilliant first time left foot volley which flew past the keeper for a 1-0 lead.

Melbourne were then forced to re-double their efforts against the ten men as their under pressure manager Ernie Merrick looked on in disbelief at his attacking side's inability to score.

Set pieces were proving particularly dangerous for the Victory in their search for an elusive equaliser but for all the near misses the Queensland keeper Willis rarely had a save to make.

Vince Lia on as a substitute had a great chance when he flashed a shot wide of the upright, and Melbourne must have been wondering if the goal would ever arrive.

However when Lia whipped a cross into the box with 2 minutes remaining it was left to Daniel Allsopp to sweep the ball past Willis much to the relief of the Melbournian contingent.

Queensland quite obviously felt hard done by after a clearly offside Archie Thompson was deemed not interfering with play despite his close proximity to the action, but after playing an hour with ten men coach Miron Bleiberg would have been delighted with his side's performance.

Melbourne will have another chance to register a first victory at home to Newcastle in the next round while the Roar host heavyweights Sydney FC at Suncorp on Friday night.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!