Soccer: Smeltz gets Gold Coast out of trouble

Shane Smeltz (L) saved the Gold Coast with a stoppage-time goal. Photo / Getty Images

There is no stopping Shane Smeltz. Three days after scoring twice for the All Whites in their come-from-behind 3-1 win over Jordan in Amman, the sharpshooting striker was at it again in Perth on Sunday night.

Down 0-2 at halftime and 1-2 at 90 minutes, Hyundai A-League leaders Gold Coast United used their get-out-of-jail card in the form of Smeltz to sneak a 2-2 draw - their first of the season - when he scored a minute into stoppage time. A quickly-taken freekick was played to Steve Pantelidis who quickly found Smeltz who buried it for his eighth goal of the season - five clear of four of the biggest names in the league, Archie Thompson, John Aloisi, Robbie Fowler and Sergio van Dijk - at the top of the golden boot standings.

For Perth it was also their first draw of the season but one they were disappointed with after dominating the first spell and taking a two-goal lead after strikes from Branko Jelic and Victor Sikora. The home side had that lead trimmed by Bas van den Brink in the 52nd minute and then saw their hopes of a third win denied by Smeltz.

In between times, two superb saves from Gold Coast goalkeeper Scott Higgins denied Jelic and Wayne Srhoj what could have proved match-winning goals.

The upset of the round came when bottom-placed North Queensland Fury stunned second-placed Sydney FC 1-0. Robbie Fowler's 54th minute goal enough to earn the northerners their first win in their inaugural season.

The biggest crowd of the round (17,644) turned up to Melbourne's Etihad Stadium where Ernie Merrick's Victory side struggled against a gritty Wellington Phoenix. After again falling behind, the Phoenix rallied strongly and ended the match at 1-1 following Tim Brown's well-taken equaliser.

The Phoenix had 11 scoring attempts - seven to one on target - to the six by the Victory. The visitors forced eight corners to two and forced former Phoenix goalkeeper Glen Moss to make six saves while Phoenix custodian Mark Paston made none. With 64 per cent of possession, coach Ricki Herbert would have expected better from his players.

Sunday's home game for the Phoenix against North Queensland - the only team below them on the points table - is, even at this early stage of the season, pivotal for both teams. The Phoenix go into that game in equal seventh place (with Melbourne) but are only three points behind third-placed Brisbane Roar who are at home to Perth in the last Sunday game.