Western take ALM draw from Sydney trip

Flying high: Western United’s Connor Pain celebrates after scoring mid-way through the first half of his side’s away match away up Sydney FC. Photo: DAVID GRAY

SYDNEY FC have survived a scare at the hands of Western United, rallying late to secure a thrilling 3-3 draw against the reigning A-League Men champions.

Slovakian forward Robert Mak was the hero for Steve Corica’s side, grabbing an 89th-minute equaliser to ensure Sydney remain in the finals places in sixth spot.

Sydney, who missed the post-season year, are still on shaky ground with just five points between them and the bottom-placed Brisbane Roar.

Mak grabbed a double at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, with Spanish left-back Diego Caballo also scoring for the Sky Blues.

Western United got goals from Lachlan Wales and Connor Pain, along with an own goal via a Nikolai Topor-Stanley header, putting them ahead in the first half.

“We created some really big chances and it’s disappointing we went 3-1 up and conceded straight afterwards,” said Green and Back manager John Aloisi.

“That gave them a lift. If we could’ve held out we probably win the game.

“It feels like a loss but it keeps us alive, we are only still two points from Sydney with a lot of games left.

“We’re there and we’re playing a lot better than the start of the year.”

The Sky Blues were caught out at the back for both first-half goals, with the visitors’ wide men punishing them on the counter.

At 1-0 down after Wales’ 14th-minute strike, a slick pass from Max Burgess found Mak in the box with the experienced Sydney FC forward’s finish trickling in off the glove of goalkeeper Jamie Young to level.

After Pain restored United’s lead, Dylan Pierias hit the woodwork with the visitors happily sitting deep, defending their advantage and attacking with intent when they forced a turnover.

One such move led to a 57th-minute free kick which Ben Garuccio whipped in towards the head of Nikolai Topor-Stanley.

The veteran defender cushioned the ball across goal and, much to Sydney’s frustration, it skipped off Luke Brattan’s body and into the back of the net to make it 3-1 to United.

Brattan helped cut the deficit shortly afterwards when his pinpoint cross found Caballo, who finished past Young.

The veteran United keeper tried to keep Sydney at bay but eventually Mak found a way through, surging forward and finishing late to snatch a vital point for the Sky Blues.

– BY GEORGE CLARKE/ AAP