Soccer: Australian probe into trouble at game

MELBOURNE - Soccer Australia will investigate reports that angry fans hurled bottles on to the pitch during a fiery National Soccer League game between Sydney United and Brisbane Strikers on Sunday.

Soccer Australia will study referee Neil Fox's report of the match, view videotapes of the game and read the club and match commissioner's report before deciding whether to take action.

Fox was forced to halt the game for five minutes after fans tossed bottles on to the pitch. The outburst came after he issued a spate of yellow cards and allowed a controversial Brisbane equaliser which secured a 1-1 draw.

United's past history will be taken into account and as it is not the first incident of this kind they could face a hefty fine.

* Sydney Olympic stretched their National Soccer League lead with a seventh round 1-0 home win over Melbourne Knights. The league leaders needed an added time goal from substitute George Goutzioulis to get home.

With second-placed Wollongong beaten 3-2 away by Canberra and third-placed South Melbourne being held 1-1 by Parramatta, the points table has closed up. Wollongong lost more than the points when Saso Petrovski, who had given his side some hope with his 87th-minute goal, was sent off a minute into added time. Canberra fought back from 0-1 at halftime to score three in 20 minutes after the break to lead 3-1.

South Melbourne also needed last-minute heroics to hold third. Down a goal after 13 minutes when former Socceroos captain Alex Tobin netted for Parramatta, the home side snatched the 96th-minute equaliser.