A second-half equaliser from Natasha Dowie helped Melbourne Victory secure a 1-1 draw against the Western Sydney Wanderers in the Westfield W-League.
Dowie scored a fine goal in the 51st minute – her sixth of the season – to cancel out Susan Phonsongkham’s first-half opener at ANZ Stadium on Friday.
Victory enjoyed the better of the second half in Sydney, but was forced to settle for a draw.
After a tight opening to the clash, the Wanderers took the lead through Phonsongkham.
Phonsongkham cut in from the right before placing a 25-yard effort into the top corner to put Western Sydney 1-0 up.
The impressive Christina Gibbons and Dowie both went close for Victory to finish the half, while Casey Dumont made a good save to deny Lee Falkon.
Victory made a much better start to the second half, with Dowie unable to scramble a squared Melina Ayres header over the line.
But the Victory captain would equalise in style in the 51st minute.
Receiving a throw-in on the edge of the area, Dowie turned her marker before firing a 20-yard strike into the top corner.
Both teams had their chances in the final half-hour with Ayres almost finding a winner for Victory.
Westfield W-League 2017/18 Round 12
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Susan Phonsongkham 24′)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Natasha Dowie 51′)
