By Chris Hearn (@_ChrisHearn)

Melbourne Knights have spurned a chance to a build a three point gap at the top of the PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria table, throwing away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Oakleigh Cannons at Somers Street on Tuesday night.

Goals to Tomislav Uskok and Andrew Barisic had the Knights on course to leapfrog Bentleigh Greens, before Oakleigh substitute Liam Boland scored two goals in eight minutes.

The hosts started brightly, and in the 15th minute almost struck first through Adrian Del Monaco's header but it was cleared off the line by Dusan Bosnjak. As the ball came out, Stipo Andrijasevic beat the offside trap and fired against John Honos' crossbar.

Oakleigh's reprieve would only last another 30 seconds.

After a goalmouth scramble, Uskok bundled home his fourth goal of the season following Ivan Grgic's flicked header to give the hosts the lead.

The visitors started the second half with greater purpose, as Dean Piemonte should have done better his close range volley.

Matters got worse for Oakleigh as Aron Wilford failed to clear a lofted ball into the box. Barisic had time and space following the defensive blunder to fire beyond Honos and make it 2-0.

Ben Clarke was summoned from the bench, along with Liam Boland, giving Oakleigh a far more direct approach as they were forced to chase the game.

An unmarked Adrian Zahra then squandered the chance to put his side 3-0 ahead following Del Monaco's looped cross.

The miss would prove crucial. Boland gave the visitors hope with 18 minutes remaining.

John Black's set piece delivery stood up in the wind as the striker headed powerfully past Chris May.

Boland grabbed his second of the game with 10 minutes remaining.

Fellow substitute Clarke looped a cross to find his strike partner to fire home, setting up a frantic finale.


Honos denied Uskok his second of the match as the midfielder's header looked destined for the top corner, before Boland went close to notching a second half hat-trick.

The striker somehow found space and squirmed a shot beyond May, but Anthony Colosimo was on hand to clear it off the line as Knights held on for a point.

Oakleigh coach, Miron Bleiberg was pleased with the way his side reacted to going two goals down.

"At half time I had to make some changes. I put on a striker, Liam Boland, who eventually scored the two goals," he said.

Bleiberg said that this result, coupled with the smash-and-grab 2-1 win at Avondale Heights on Saturday, could prove to be a pivotal time for the club.

"We know that it is hard to beat Oakleigh, so I believe we have turned a corner."

 

MATCH DETAILS

Melbourne Knights 2 (Uskok 16', Barisic 51') drew with Oakleigh Cannons 2 (Boland 72, 80) at Knights Reserve (HT 0-1)

Melbourne Knights: 1. Christopher MAY, 3. Adrian DEL MONACO (9. Jacob COLOSIMO 84'), 4. Ben SUREY, 5. Milan BATUR, 6. Tomislav USKOK, 8. James MCGARRY, 11. Anthony COLOSIMO, 12. Ivan GRGIC, 21. Stipo ANDRIJASEVIC, 23. Adrian ZAHRA, 27. Andrew BARISIC (7. Chris TALAJIC 83')

Unused substitutes: 13. Anthony KATAFORIS, 15. Alex DAO, 25. Hrvoje CAKARLN

Yellow cards: Tomislav Uskok 23', Ben Surey 40', James McGarry 72', Anthony Colosimo 82'



Red cards: Nil

 

Oakleigh Cannons: 76. John HONOS, 3. John BLACK, 18. Adam LE CORNU, 22. George KROMMIDAS (7. Ben CLARKE 64'), 8. Dusan BOSNJAK, 23. Dominic D’ANGELO, 26. Lambros HONOS, 21. Kristopher KIOUSSIS (15. Jake MCLEAN 56'), 10. Dean PIEMONTE (16. Liam BOLAND 46'), 5. Aron WILFORD, 19. Goran ZORIC

Unused substitutes: 35. Hun LAJOS, 12. Rowan MCNAMEE

Yellow cards: John Black 86'

Red cards: Nil