Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos was controversially sent off in tonight’s remarkable 2-2 A-League draw with Central Coast for stomping on Sasho Petrovski.

Archie Thompson scored his second goal deep into stoppage time to snatch a point for the visitors after a Matt Simon brace appeared to have secured the three points for the Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium.

The Theoklitos incident happened in the 58th minute when the ‘keeper was jostling with Petrovski in the box before a corner kick and Theoklitos started jumping on the spot, catching the striker’s foot.

While there didn’t seem to be too much in it, referee Peter Green showed no hesitation in giving the ‘keeper a straight red for “violent conduct (stomping)”.

Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick said he was unsure why the card was brandished while his Mariners counterpart Lawrie McKinna felt there may be more to it than first thought.

“Something had happened in the corner previous to that … maybe the ref saw that and kept an eye on it and it happened again, but we never saw anything,” McKinna said.

At the other end, colourful Central Coast ‘keeper Mark Bosnich continued his fairytale comeback with two fine saves, both denying Victory striker Danny Allsopp from point blank range.

Six years on from his freefall into drugs and depression, the 36-year-old Bosnich has quickly rediscovered the form which made him an Aston Villa and Manchester United star, having signed a seven-week deal to replace the banned Danny Vukovic.

The game exploded in the 12th minute when Simon opened the scoring, calmly bringing down a floating ball from Bradley Porter in the area and slotting home for his first goal in Gosford.

The advantage was short lived as four minutes later Socceroo Thompson made it 1-1 with a neat left-footed finish which gave Bosnich no chance.

Simon’s second came after he rose well to head home, the ball striking the underside of the crossbar before narrowly crossing the line for his fourth goal in five matches.

Then, against the run of play, Thompson sent the 9,009-strong crowd home disappointed with a close range strike to keep the Victory on top of the table after five rounds.

“It feels like a loss,” McKinna said.

Mariners midfielder Adrian Caceres came close to scoring against his former club three times, his best chance blocked by teammate Petrovski when the ball appeared destined to find the top, right hand corner.

Sydney FC’s 3-0 thumping of Adelaide United in tonight’s other round five fixture has put them level on 11 points with Melbourne, but the Victory retain top spot on goal difference.

It will be another busy week for the Victory following Brazilian striker Ney Fabiano’s nine-match ban for spitting. The club is appealing the verdict.

© AAP 2012

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