Socceroos veteran Aziz Behich’s goal was cancelled out by Western Sydney Wanderers’ Bozhidar Kraev in a 1-1 draw.
The 66th-minute goal from Behich, his second of the Isuzu Ute A-League season, came after he intercepted a pass out from right back by Wanderers defender Nathan Barrie.
Wanderers equalised in the 77th minute as Kraev headed in an Angus Thurgate free kick, exacerbated for City who were down to 10 players with Harry Shillington waiting to re-enter the pitch.
City stay outside the Isuzu Ute A-League top six with the draw, on 22 points behind sixth-placed Adelaide United on 23. Wanderers remain 12th and last on 16 points trailing 11th-placed Wellington Phoenix on 19.
The first half was an arm-wrestle, with Wanderers only mustering two shots on target from 10 attempts while Melbourne City had to wait until stoppage time for Samuel Souprayen’s header to produce his team’s first on-target attempt.
Marcus Younis drew a save out of Lawrence Thomas early in the second half, adjusting in a penalty area scrap to get an attempt away in the 53rd minute.
Wanderers answered when Steven Ugarkovic fired over the crossbar with a shot from the top of the penalty area. Ryan Fraser had created the chance with his own shot from a tight angle which was saved by Melbourne City goalkeeper Patrick Beach.
Jacob Farrell made his first Wanderers appearance on loan from Portsmouth, coming on at half time.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Aziz Behich opens the scoring for Melbourne City.
Bozhidar Kraev equalises 1-1 for Western Sydney Wanderers.
