The Western Sydney Wanderers have managed to halt Brisbane Roar's charge at the top of the A-League standings by grabbing a late 1-1 draw at the Pirtek Stadium.
It was a lively start from the home side as they worked the ball in the early stages of the clash through Youssouf Hersi, who stormed down the right and unleashed a low cross across the face of goal, but Mark Bridge failed to latch on to the ball.
Brisbane struggled to keep possession of the ball, but they were able to create a half-chance when Luke Brattan took a sharp free kick from the left side of the area, but the effort glided past the near post.
Despite the Wanderers' positive start, it was the visitors who clinched the opening goal when Besart Berisha received the ball and dodged past players into the area to launch a left-footed strike into the back of the net.
After the goal, Brisbane seemed comfortable to soak up some pressure from the home side as the Wanderers searched for an equaliser.
Wanderers managed to create a chance when Hersi forced Michael Theo into making a save when his first-touch effort bolted towards goal.
After the break, Brendon Santalab had the opportunity to secure an early goal for the home side after driving deep into the box, but he squandered his side's best chance of the game.
Western Sydney continued to press in search of that equaliser, but Brisbane were stubborn in defence as they managed to halt the home side's charge.
However, Wanderers eventually found the breakthrough with just five minutes of normal time to play when a curling cross from Aaron Mooy found Labinot Haliti at the back post.
The forward slid the ball into the back of the net with the outside of his boot to secure a point for the home side.
Danielle Joynson
