Western Sydney Wanderers have produced a late comeback to defeat Newcastle Jets 2-1 in their A-League clash.
The home side threatened in the early stages of the match when Nigel Boogaard latched on to a ball into the box from Enver Alivodic, but the skipper could only steer his effort wide of the post.
Wanderers responded when Mitch Nichols raided forward and caught a strike on the half-volley which looked destined for the top corner, but Mark Birighitti palmed his strike away from goal.
Birighitti kept the scores level as he produced two fine saves to deny Scott Neville with a header, while Dario Vidosic saw his left-footed volley pushed away from close range.
In the second half, the Jets found their form and took the lead in the 72nd minute in controversial circumstances when won a free kick on the edge of the box.
David Carney's strike hit the underside of the bar and bounced into the six-yard box where Alivodic turned the ball home, only to be ruled offside by the linesman. However, the referee overturned the decision to award the home side the goal.
Wanderers were handed the chance to get back into the match when Milos Trifunovic went down under the challenge of Brendon Santalab and a penalty was awarded. Andreu Mayoral took the spot kick and fired the ball into the net to bring his team level.
The visitors took the lead in the 86th minute to seal the victory when Mark Bridge teed the ball up for Nichols to strike on the edge of the box, and his shot beat the outstretched hand of Birighitti to find the back of the net.
The result moves Wanderers up to sixth in the A-League, while the Jets remain in third place.
Simon Sinclair
