Golgol Mebrahtu header salvages dramatic draw for Brisbane Roar

Golgol Mebrahtu’s first A-League goal in eight years salvaged a dramatic draw for Brisbane Roar.

The Roar’s Golgol Mebrahtu scores with his head against the Wellington Phoenix

Golgol Mebrahtu’s first A-League goal in eight years salvaged a dramatic draw for Brisbane Roar against Wellington Phoenix.

Playing their “home” match at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium, the Phoenix just couldn’t withstand a late onslaught from Brisbane as the match ended 1-1.

Tomer Hemed’s first-half strike looked like it would be enough to earn Wellington the win, but Mebrahtu came off the bench to snatch an 87th minute equaliser.

While the result extends Brisbane’s winless streak to seven games, they will celebrate what was just their third goal during that period.

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Playing in torrential rain, Brisbane threw everything they had at Wellington in the final 20 minutes until they finally got their rewards — Macaulay Gillesphey’s cross met by Mebrahtu’s head.

But there was some late drama when Wellington were denied a penalty for a handball deep into injury time.

It was a blistering start from the Phoenix, with Brisbane doing well just to hang on for as long as they did.

Wellington came close to taking the lead in the 26th minute when Reno Piscopo’s long-range effort hit the post. The ball did find its way into the back of the net off the rebound, but the goal was disallowed for clearly coming off David Ball’s hand.

Piscopo continued to pose the biggest threat while Brisbane continued to struggle, but it took until the 42nd minute for the deadlock to finally be broken.

A scuffed clearance from Tom Aldred fell kindly for Hemed and, with a composed finish, the Israeli international passed the ball cleanly into the back of the net. There may have been some luck involved, but it was a goal the Phoenix deserved and so did Hemed, after his 95th minute equaliser against the Western Sydney Wanderers last week was dubiously chalked off for offside.

But this one stood and it was Hemed’s first goal from open play for his new club and his second overall after his penalty against the Wanderers.

Brisbane managed to create more chances in the second half and eventually got their rewards.

As is the case in most A-League matches, the game had a VAR controversy. For the second time in two matches Wellington were denied by the video ref, this time when Riku Danzaki’s handball in the box was dismissed, with the Phoenix crying out for a penalty.