A-League Round 5 provided some interesting results, mainly with Gold Coast United returning to the top of the table. The high-flying franchise managed to account for the previously undefeated Sydney FC thanks to a double from Shane Smeltz.
But the round kicked off on Thursday night with reigning champions Melbourne Victory again faltering at the final hurdle, letting in a late goal to record a draw against the visiting Newcastle Jets.
Archie Thompson scored his third goal in three games in the 43rd minute but the Victory could not convert their dominance and the Jets managed to equalise through comeback kid Labinot Haliti with just four minutes remaining.
Melbourne Victory: 1 (Archie Thompson '43) Newcastle Jets: 1 (Labinot Haliti '86)
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Crowd: 15,168 Referee: Chris Beath Yellow cards:Mel - nil New - Labinot Haliti '87
On Friday night, Wellington Phoenix and Adelaide United played out a 1-1 draw in New Zealand.
Phoenix import Paul Ifill's 35th minute effort was cancelled out by Reds defender Iain Fyfe seven minutes in a match that both sides needed to win.
The result put both teams on just five points from the opening five rounds.
Wellington Phoenix: 1 (Paul Ifill '35) Adelaide United: 1 (Iain Fyfe '42)
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington Crowd: 7,523 Referee: Michael Hester Yellow cards:Wel - Ben Sigmund '40, Vince Lia '56, Tim Brown '74 Ade - Michael Marrone '38, Mark Rudan '43, Iain Fyfe '63
Also on Friday night, Central Coast Mariners scored a late winner to edge out Perth Glory in Canberra.
Following a first-half goal from Mariners skipper Alex Wilkinson, the Glory got back on level terms when Mile Sterjovksi netted his first A-League goal in the 82nd minute.
But the Mariners took the points thanks to a last-minute Matt Simon effort.
Central Coast Mariners: 2 (Alex Wilkinson '42, Matt Simon '89) Perth Glory: 1 (Mile Sterjovski '82)
Venue: Canberra Stadium, ACT Crowd: 5,139 Referee:Ben WilliamsYellow cards:CCM - Michael McGlinchey '77 Per - Naum Sekulovski '46, Brank Jelic '49
Gold Coast United jumped back to the top of the table with a 2-1 win over Sydney FC at Skilled Park on Saturday afternoon.
Shane Smeltz returned to form with a double whilst Sky Blues veteran Steve Corica got his name on the scoresheet but it wasn't enough to lead his team to victory.
Gold Coast United: 2 (Shane Smeltz '45+1, '56) Sydney FC: 1 (Steve Corica '75)
Venue: Skilled Park, Gold Coast Crowd: 6,800 Referee: Strebre Delovski Yellow cards:GCU - Robson '7 Syd - nil
Finally, a Robbie Fowler-inspired North Queensland Fury could only manage a draw against Brisbane Roar in Townsville.
The former Liverpool star netted again for the Fury but his goal was cancelled out by Roar youngster Mitch Nichols in the final minutes.
North Queensland Fury: 1 (Robbie Fowler '7) Brisbane Roar: 1 (Mitch Nichols '84)
Venue: Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville Crowd: 7,173 Referee: Matthew Breeze Yellow card:NQF - Ufuk Talay '57 Bri - David Dodd '5, Charlie Miller '18, Josh McCloughan '70, Henrique '82, Reinaldo '82 Red cards:NQF - Paul Kohler '31
