Castro worldie compounds City’s week from hell

He was voted the A-League’s greatest ever player in a recent online poll and Diego Castro lived up to the tag at AAMI Park, snatching a point from Melbourne City with a sublime strike.

Scott Jamieson is left furious after a decision. Picture: AAP

Melbourne City literally dropped two points after surrendering a two-goal lead at home to A-League leaders Perth Glory.

Jamie Maclaren had threatened to start life after Bruno Fornaroli in barnstorming fashion with a first-half brace that looked set to secure City three vital points in their bid for a home final.

But Glory netted two goals in the last six minutes via substitute Joel Chianese and superstar Diego Castro to leave City fans reeling, as jeers echoed around AAMI Park at the final whistle.

City fans again left frustrated by a pragmatic display, in a week where the inevitable exit of their favourite Bruno Fornaroli was confirmed.

LIFE AFTER BRUNO

While Fornaroli has not played since November, his contract was only terminated last week, bringing to a close a sorry chapter in the club’s history.

The fine margins were evident in the January transfer window, when Maclaren’s deal looked set to collapse until literally the final hours of deadline day.

Scott Jamieson is left furious after a decision. Picture: AAP

Had Maclaren not signed, City would be in a tough place right now, but with his payout, believed to be in excess of $500,000, now confirming the Uruguayan’s exit, City can officially move on.

MAC IS ON FIRE

Maclaren has now netted four goals in three games, justifying City’s mid-season move for him from Hibernian.

The first was a classic striker’s header, when he floated into a dangerous position in between stoppers Matthew Spiranovic and Shane Lowry.

Scott Jamieson’s superb looping cross landed on Maclaren’s head, and the striker superbly angled it into the top left corner.

Jamie Maclaren hit the target twice. Picture: AAP

The second came via the penalty spot, when Frenchman Florin Berenguer’s cross struck the hand of Shane Lowry, who slid in, after Glory had been sloppy in possession.

Maclaren emphatically blasted it into the top left corner.

GALEKOVIC ROLELRCOASTER

City keeper Eugene Galekovic has turned back the clock this season, and he produced another strong display until his late blunder.

Castro’s stoppage time shot had some movement and zing, but Galekovic would expect to save such in such instances.

Until then, he had produced arguably his most influential performance of the season, when taking into account City’s absence of defensive regulars Bart Schenkeveld, Ritchie de laet and Harrison Delbridge.

Diego Castro celebrates his wonder strike. Picture: Getty

Glory tried to exploit the lack of chemistry between stoppers Curtis Good and Iacopo La Rocca, who were playing together for the first time.

Galekovic communicated superbly and stood tall when needed, with his best save coming just before the break when he somehow scooped Ikonomidis’ low goal-bound shot away for a corner.

There was little he could do with substitute Chianese’s 84th minute header, which he expertly tucked away after a stellar run and well flighted cross from Jason Davidson.

Captain Jamieson produced a courageous goal-saving tackle on Castro, moments before the Spaniard again found a pocket of space in a dangerous area and unleashed.

GLORY RECORD CONTINUES

The draw stretches Glory’s club record unbeaten run to 12 and keeps Tony Popovic’s side in the box seat for the Premier’s Plate.

Glory retain a six-point from Sydney FC with six games left, although Melbourne Victory wasted a golden chance to stay in touch after losing at home to Newcastle Jets.

Glory has lost just once this season.