Fury escape with draw over Victory

North Queensland Fury had two men sent off, but still managed to pinch a late 2-2
draw against Melbourne Victory in a controversial A-League thriller at AAMI Park on
Sunday.
Fury striker Chris Payne struck in the 82nd minute to equalise for the visitors,
leaving the Victory without a win this season.
But it was rookie referee Chris Boyle who took centre stage, awarding three
penalties, sending two players off and booking another two for diving.
Melbourne struggled for early traction and the Fury deservedly took the lead through
a 15th minute Eugene Sseppuya goal.
But the game turned on its head when Boyle controversially sent Chris Grossman off
in the 29th minute.
Grossman's clumsy challenge on Victory's Robbie Kruse in the box earned a penalty
for the home side, then surprisingly a red card which left the Fury down to 10 men
for more than an hour.
Muscat thumped in the penalty - and it was to be the first of several.
The Victory dominated thereafter.
And after both Mate Dugandzic and Kruse had penalty shouts turned down and were
booked for diving, Victory secured a second spot-kick when new signing Geoff
Kellaway was brought down on the edge of the box by Osama Malik.
Again Muscat slotted home, and the Victory looked set to take all three points.
But Boyle then awarded a penalty to the Fury against Victory substitute Diogo
Ferreira for what appeared holding - well off the ball - inside the box.
That sparked bizarre scenes as Fury centre-back Eric Akoto stormed in to say his
piece to the referee, push Muscat to the ground, and then get sent off as well.
But the penalty still stood, Payne slotted home, and the Fury then repelled a flurry
of late attacks from the Victory.
Goalkeeper Justin Pasfield made a brilliant save to deny Carlos Hernandez, with
Kruse perhaps coming closest to a winner in injury time with an attempted diving
header near goal which just failed to connect.
The Fury remain unbeaten in their three matches, while the Victory have taken just
two points from the season so far.



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