Technically, the ladder-leading Brisbane Roar extended their unbeaten run to 12 A-League games following a 1-1 draw with a gutsy North Queensland Fury at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
But in reality the Roar got the fright of their lives against the dead-last Fury in a timely wake-up call in front of a mostly relieved 10,126-strong crowd.
On paper, it was a David versus Goliath battle.
But despite not recording a win since October 15, North Queensland looked like the form team – particularly after taking the lead through Gareth Edds’ ninth-minute goal.
Indeed the ladder appeared to be tipped on its head when the dead-last Fury oozed class to begin all over the top of No.1 outfit Brisbane.
And a season-defining win appeared on the cards before the Roar grabbed the crucial equaliser when Ivan Franjic hit the back of the net in the 85th minute.
After Edds capitalised on a David Williams cross to grab a 1-0 halftime lead, the Fury should have went ahead 2-0 in the 55th minute but Jason Spagnuolo unfortunately sprayed Williams’ cross at close range.
The Roar appeared to have locked up the scores in the 59th minute only for Jean Carlos Solorzano to be called back for off-side.
Continuing their busy schedule, the Roar host Perth Glory on Wednesday night before travelling to Gosford to take on Central Coast next Sunday.
“I didn’t think it was going to come tonight to be honest – it was a tough night for the boys,” Roar coach Ange Postecoglou said after playing their third game in six days.
“Once again the boys played it right out to the end and they got the goal.
“Credit to the Fury they worked hard. After that it was a matter of us trying to find a way through.
“But it was really laboured tonight. We are the middle of a grind.
“But you can’t question the players’ commitment – that is for sure.”
Fury coach Franz Straka was ruing Spagnuolo’s missed chance in the second half but was grateful of at least grabbing a result on Saturday night.
“I am more happy about getting the point, it was so important after two defeats,” he said.
“We played well tactically.
“But I am a bit upset.
“We had a big chance in the second half to go 2-0 up and maybe win the game.
“But I think we did our best on the field.
“It may not have been attractive but I think the team did well to get that result.”
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