Logan Rogerson celebrates the equalising goal for Auckland FC against Adelaide United. Photo: Photosport
Logan Rogerson scored in the 100th minute for Auckland FC to steal a 2-2 draw with Adelaide United in their table-topping A-League match.
The Black Knights remain second in the standings, one point behind Adelaide, following a thrilling contest which burst into life over the closing stages.
Rogerson silenced the home crowd with his headed goal to complete a crazy finish to a match that was scoreless for more than an hour before Auckland's Neyder Moreno fired in the opener moments after entering the game.
Reds striker Archie Goodwin struck back with a double, his first coming in controversial fashion after replays showed winger Yaya Dukuly may have committed a foul on Auckland defender Callan Elliott in the lead-up.
Goodwin's 95th minute goal looked set to send Adelaide four points clear at the top of the ladder before substitute Rogerson found himself unmarked in the box to convert a Francis De Vries cross in the 10th and final minute of stoppage time.
Logan Rogerson. Photo: Photosport
Auckland FC have made a habit of late heroics in their maiden season, a point not missed by delighted coach Steve Corica.
"I'm really proud of the boys," Corica told the A-League.
"They've done it before in games, they just keep going these boys and (I'm) really proud of them.
"Right to the death, it was a great ball in from Francis De Vries and a good header (there) was obviously a lot of pressure on that last kick of the game.
"I think we got what we deserved. At least a point."
Adelaide coach Carl Veart questioned the length of time the game continued beyond 90 minutes, suggesting the full-time whistle should have been blown before Rogerson's goal.
"Yeah look, it was seven extra minutes and they scored in the ninth extra minute," Veart said.
"I don't know where the other two extra minutes came from. So look, it's disappointing to concede goals that late but there's not much we can do about it now.
"It was a high-pressure game, a lot of contests, a lot of fouls, a lot of direct balls - even from us, we didn't really play our football.
"But Auckland don't allow you (to play) with the press, the pressure that they put on you so yeah, it was a tough night."
Corica responded by questioning Adelaide's opening goal, believing VAR should have intervened.
Steve Corica Photo: Supplied: A-League
"Obviously I wasn't happy, Carl was happy. For me, I don't think Callan had any reason to go down - he was in front. For me, it's a foul," Corica said.
"VAR have looked at it, made a decision. I didn't like it and obviously then they scored a second one which was a good goal by them, they're a good team.
"They play good football, it's always entertaining here and we had to be good tonight to obviously get a point but we wanted three today."
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