By James Manton

A last-minute goal from Tom Barforosh has salvaged a point for Melbourne City on Saturday afternoon as it drew 2-2 with Eastern Lions.

The Lions dominated vast portions of the second half after coming from a goal behind to lead late, but City did just enough to deny the hosts two valuable points.

Dour is the only word suitable to describe the first half as either side only managed a couple shots each, with Phil Ajao's powerful header from inside the box - spectacularly saved by Jack West-Astuti - one of few notable attempts.

City took the lead from a Lions own goal midway through the half as Anthony Rizk broke down the left wing, with his cross clattering off Thomas Falconer and dribbling past the grounded Andrew Proudfoot.

The Lions nearly responded immediately as Ajao created some space in the Melbourne City box barely a minute later, but his shot was just kept out by the foot of West-Astuti.

While City had the better hold of play in the first half, the hosts came out of the break full of vigour to take control of the match,.

Ajao once again came close to scoring as his surprise shot from in the area - while surrounded by four City players - cannoned off the crossbar and out of play.

Eastern Lions had a succession of corners midway through the half, and they finally paid off as one caught the outstretched arm of a Melbourne player in the box as the referee rewarded a penalty.

Andrew Williams stepped up to take the spot kick but his effort was tipped onto the post and away from goals, however Mitch Beamish was alert enough to pounce on the rebound and score a well-deserved equaliser for the hosts.

Mehdi Sarwari had a guilt-edged chance to retake the lead for the visitors, but he could not take advantage of a free header in the Lions' box.

The hosts punished City for that error, as a few minutes later Ziggy Razuki won the ball on the City byline, pouncing on some awful defending, and slid the ball into the net to take the lead.

The Lions looked like they would be able to hold on for the victory, however in the last minute Barforosh's header from a Luke Crallo cross was saved, but Proudfoot could do nothing to stop the follow-up prod to push the ball over the line and salvage City the draw.

Eastern Lions 2 (Beamish 69', Razuki 83') drew with Melbourne City 2 (Falconer OG 24', Barforosh 90+2')

EASTERN LIONS: 1. Andrew LIGHTFOOT, 2. William ELLIS, 3. Matthew PARRY, 5. Thomas FALCONER, 6. Andrew WILLIAMS, 7. Ziggy RAZUKI (15. Yianni TOUMANIDIS 86'), 8. Mitch BEAMISH (9. Daniel RODRIGUES 76'), 10. Philip AJAO, 11. Munyaradzi NYAOZAYO, 13. Jarrah CLEAR, 16. Shaun KENNY

Unused substitutes: 28. Robert HAVERCROFT, 4. Michael JONES, 14. Jordan HORN 

Yellow card(s): Nil

Red card(s): Nil

MELBOURNE CITY: 1. Jake WEST-ASTUTI, 4. Jordan HALL, 5. Leo ATHANASIOU, 8. Ratip CILELI, 10. Luke PRELEVIC, 12. Anthony RIZK, 14. Baki EFE, 15. Luke CRALLO, 16. Matthew MILLAR (18. Tom BARFOROSH 69'), 19. Anthony TARANTO (21. Marcus DIMANCHE 83'), 22. Mehdi SARWARI (13. Haralambos STAMBOULIDIS 81')

Unused substitutes: 17. Joseph MONEK, 20. Yianni SKILIROS

Yellow card(s): Nil

Red card(s): Nil