By JAMES WILLOUGHBY (@jwilloughby26)

Photo MARK AVELLINO

Bulleen Lions have thrown away a two-goal lead in the dying stages for the second week in a row as Melbourne Victory came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw at the Veneto Club on Monday.

Bulleen - who led 2-0 against Moreland City after 82 minutes last week, only to lose 3-2 - were in control after headers from Takanori Nishimoto and Lewis Waddell.

Eli Luttmer's red card for deliberate handball changed the complexion of the game, though, with the Bulleen man blocking John Maclean's shot on the goal-line.

Joey Katebian converted the resultant penalty before Kieran Dover levelled proceedings with 11 minutes left, setting up a grandstand finish, although both sides eventually shared the spoils.

A big crowd piled into the Veneto Club and fans were still waiting to get in after kick-off.

They didn't miss much in an uneventful beginning, though, with Nishimoto's 37th-minute header finally bringing the contest to life.

The forward, who scored a screamer against Moreland City last week, nodded in a cross from the right with a smart looping header.

Waddell doubled Bulleen's lead seven minutes into the second half, with his glancing header from a free-kick proving too good for Victory goalkeeper Lucas Spinella.

Substitute Lucas Derrick looked lively for Victory and had a shot cleared off the line in the 70th minute, before Luttmer's handball offered the visitors a lifeline.

Katebian made no mistake from the penalty spot, coolly slotting past Luke Gallo, and Victory were quickly level when Dover found himself in the right place at the right time.

George Howard's cross took a wicked deflection and Gallo could only palm the ball into the path of Dover who prodded home from close range.

Victory had numerous late chances to bag a winner, Derrick going closest when his 20-yard effort sailed just wide in the 93rd minute, but in the end they had to be content with a hard-earned point.

MATCH DETAILS

Bulleen Lions 2 (Nishimoto 37', Waddell 52') drew with Melbourne Victory 2 (Katebian 74' (pen), Dover 79) at the Veneto Club

Bulleen Lions: 21. Luke GALLO, 4. Samual BORGHESI, 5. Lewis WADDELL (13. Dean LORENZI 74'), 6. Bardhi HYSOLI, 8. Matteo BALLAN (23. Edison DONARI 88'), 10. Takanori NISHIMOTO, 11. Gianni DE NITTIS, 12. Eli LUTTMER, 15. Billy ROMAS (33. Davide CARDAMONE 74'), 18. Felix ROSMAN, 20. Andrew MULLETT

Unused Sub: 1. Matt BANOVIC

Yellow Cards: Mullett 36'

Red Cards: Luttmer 73'

Melbourne Victory: 1. Lucas SPINELLA, 19. Nick GLAVAN, 18. Christian CAVALLO (2. Tom LAKIC 46'), 6. Stefan NIGRO (13. Lucas DERRICK 61'), 5. Damian MISKULIN, 3. Milos RIDESIC, 8. Anthony DUZEL (14. Reece CALDERCOURT 91'), 9. Joey KATEBIAN, 10. Kieran DOVER, 11. John MACLEAN, 17. George HOWARD

Unused Sub: 20. Stephen HATZIKOUSTIS

Yellow Cards: Miskulin 30'

Red Cards: Nil