Melbourne City fightback hobbles Brisbane Roar finals hopes

Melbourne City delivered a bitter blow to Brisbane Roar’s finals chances with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory.

Melbourne City’s Marcin Budzinski celebrates a goal against Brisbane Roar at Suncoprt Stadium last night. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne City delivered a bitter blow to Brisbane Roar’s finals chances with a 2-1 come-from-­behind victory at Suncorp ­Stadium yesterday.

The Roar had been bumped out of the top six earlier in the day by Western Sydney’s win over Central Coast.

Massimo Maccarone’s opening goal looked to have put them on course to jump straight back in to the finals positions but they were ultimately overrun by City, who handed Brisbane their ­seventh loss at home this season in a pulsating clash.

It leaves Brisbane in seventh place, three points and goal difference behind the Wanderers, who also have a game in hand.

City, meanwhile, have trimmed the gap between themselves and second-placed Newcastle to just four points after a bright ­performance in their first match without chief goalscorer Ross ­McCormack.

Maccarone had a golden chance to make it 2-2 from the penalty spot in the 78th minute after Michael Jakobsen brought down Fahid Ben Khalfallah, but his limp attempt was saved easily by Dean Bouzanis.

The veteran Italian had headed home a free kick from Eric Bautheac to give the Roar a one-goal lead 14 minutes in.

But it lasted only five minutes as City’s man of the moment — Daniel Arzani — generated the equaliser.

The 19-year-old dribbled down the centre of the park and threaded an inch-perfect ball through two defenders for Marcin Budzinski, who fired home from close range. The two sides traded shots on goal for the remainder of the half, with Dario Vidosic having a header cleared off the line by Maccarone and Brett Holman only kept out by Bouzanis’s outstretched leg.

The Roar also had what looked a clear penalty appeal turned down, with Jack Hingert taken down in the box by a clumsy Osama Malik challenge.

Much to the dismay of the 9150 fans in attendance, the video assistant referee did not intervene.

A rare error from the in-form Jamie Young opened the door for the visitors to nudge ahead in the 66th minute. Young came out to collect the ball but mistimed his approach, inviting Budzinski to skip straight past him.

The Polish marquee doubled back and sent in a cross for an ­on-rushing Stefan Mauk, who did well to time his jump and crane his neck for a neat headed finish.

Meanwhile, Kenny Lowe ­refuses to lose heart over Perth Glory’s ability to make an ­impression on the top six.

Just when you thought the West Australians were ready to gather some momentum after a fine win over Western Sydney last week, they were brought back to earth in a 2-1 loss to Adelaide ­United at Coopers Stadium on Saturday night.

That’s now six defeats in their past seven games for Perth.

“People will want to write you off but there are still eight games (24 points) to go. Yeah, it could be better for us, but you don’t stop giving up,” Lowe said. “There’s no reason (why they can’t make a run) given the performances we are putting in.

“We haven’t been rewarded, to be honest. We got nothing against Victory when we deserved much more and the same against Adelaide. It’s tough at the moment but have got to ride it and roll on to the next game and get three points.”

AAP/RAY GATT