Late Jonas Markovski goal ensures Brisbane Roar avoid a home loss to Western United

A-League battlers Western United came within a whisker of beating Brisbane Roar for a second time this season.

Jonas Markovski celebrates after scoring a late equaliser for Brisbane Roar. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

A stoppage-time goal from substitute Jonas Markovski has spared Brisbane Roar the embarrassment of a second loss this season to A-League cellar dwellers Western United.

Leading 2-1 as the game ventured past its 90th minute, United seemed destined for a rare win until Markovski turned home a low cross from fellow replacement Corey Brown to secure the Roar a 2-2 draw at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

For the second time in less than a week, United were left bitterly disappointed after again conceding in injury-time.

However, this time they at least grabbed a point after losing 2-1 to Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Tuesday night.

The eight-placed Roar were also dejected with the outcome against the competition’s bottom team, who had beaten Brisbane 2-1 in Melbourne in December.

“We’re disappointed,” Roar defender Jack Hingert, who made his 250th A-League appearance for Brisbane, told Paramount +.

“We controlled the majority of the game, and there were a few mistakes that led to their (United’s) goals.

“Just silly decisions, and that’s what cost us in the end.

‘It’s great that we fought back and got a point in the end, but it was disappointing initially. We really had to come away with the (three) points.”

Jonas Markovski celebrates in front of Brisbane’s fans after scoring a late equaliser. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

United started the better and went ahead in just the sixth minute through Nikita Rukavytsya

The veteran striker – who returned to the A-League this season after spending previous eight years in Israel – scored his first goal for United, netting from close range after Lachlan Wales rose high to meet a Josh Risdon cross and nod the ball into the path of the grateful former Socceroos marksman.

The Roar came out with more purpose after time, with United goalkeeper Matt Sutton, who was making his first appearance for the club after being called into the team to replace the injured Tom Heward-Belle, making back-to-back saves in the 57th minute to deny Brisbane pair Keegan Jelacic and Tom Aldred.

However, the Roar weren’t to be denied just a minute later when Thomas Waddingham headed home a well-placed Florin Berenguer corner that Sutton came for but failed to collect.

It was teenage striker Waddingham’s fifth goal of the A-League season and his fourth in his past three games.

Just when it seemed it was Brisbane with the momentum, United fought back to reclaim the lead in the 79th minute through substitute Noah Botic.

The provider was fellow replacement and former Roar midfielder Riku Danzaki, who delivered a dangerous corner that 22-year-old Botic headed past Brisbane goalkeeper Macklin Freke to score his fourth goal of the season.

However, Markovski’s late goal was to deny United what would have been just their fourth win of the season.

“You’re never happy with a draw when you’re up 2-1,” United goalscorer Botic said.

“One or two things just slipped and they pounced on it.”