Soccer: Kingz cannot escape the boot of Boutsianis

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Con Boutsianis continues to haunt the Football Kingz.

His last-gasp goal snatched a 2-2 away draw for South Melbourne against Sydney United - the point enough to keep the Kingz alone at the bottom of the NSL table.

Boutsianis also scored a late goal that sank the Kingz in Melbourne a week earlier, although that result may yet be overturned by a Soccer Australia tribunal.

After a scoreless first half, United went ahead on the hour when Paul Bilokapic scored.

Boutsianis equalised six minutes later.

The home side regained the lead with a goal from substitute Ante Deur, but the controversial Boutsianis then ruined any celebrations.

Leaders Perth Glory battled the odds for a 1-1 home draw against defending champions Wollongong Wolves.

Reduced to 10 players when Scott Miller was sent off midway through the first spell - for using an elbow in a challenge on Alex Castro - Perth took the lead right on halftime when Brad Maloney scored.

Wolves picked up their point in the second half when substitute Stuart Young played a neat one-two with Castro whose shot hit the post and eventually crossed the line, despite Maloney's attempt to keep it out.

With second-placed Brisbane Strikers having the bye and third-placed Newcastle upset 2-0 by Parramatta Power, Perth stretched their lead to 11 points. They will, however, be without Miller for Saturday night's home game against the Kingz.

Olympic Sharks captain Ante Juric grabbed the late winner as his side beat Melbourne Knights 2-1 away.

Tom Pondeljak gave the Sharks the lead after eight minutes.

Toto Da Costa scored the second-half equaliser before Juric's 84th-minute winner.

Northern Spirit kept their playoff hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Adelaide City Force at North Sydney Oval.

The only goal came in the 30th minute from a deflected Julian Watts shot.

Parramatta put out a much-rearranged side for their home game against Newcastle.

The shuffle obviously worked with Parramatta winning 2-0.

They took the lead early in the second spell when David Barrett flicked on a Peter Bennett free-kick and watched as the ball sneaked just inside the far post.

The game was wrapped up in the 83rd minute when Brett Holman scored.

This week's feature promises to be the all-Sydney affair between Olympic Sharks and Northern Spirit.