Soccer: Parramatta climbs back but star striker injured

By TERRY MADDAFORD

A 1-0 away win over Sydney Olympic was enough to take Parramatta Power three points clear after an abbreviated 12th round of the Australian national league.

Victory again came at a cost for Parramatta. The game-breaking goal, scored by Ante Milicic, came in the 78th minute to give Parramatta their seventh win of the season.

But the good news was muted when coach Nick Theodorakopoulos learned star striker Johnny Buonavoglia was to join Andrew Durante as the team's second player sidelined with a broken leg this season.

Troy Halpin received a yellow card for the injury, followed by a second (and dismissal).

South Melbourne blew their chance to stay level at the top when beaten 3-1 away by Northern Spirit.

Two stunning goals for Scot Stewart Petrie helped the Sydneysiders to their fifth win in 11 outings.

Souths had the better of the early exchanges, with their captain (and All Whites striker) Vaughan Coveny returning from injury. Coveny, Michael Curcija and Con Boutsianis missed chances before Petrie broke the deadlock right on halftime.

Curcija headed home the equaliser early in the second spell before Petrie put the home side back in front. Brent Fisher came off the bench to complete the scoring.

In Melbourne, the Knights and Newcastle United played out a 1-1 draw. Debutant Knights goalkeeper Vilson Knezevic kept his team in the game but a mistake allowed the visitors to get back to 1-1 in the 58th minute when Ryan Griffiths scored.

Tomi Razov had given the home side the lead early in the second half.

Wollongong Wolves and Brisbane Strikers also shared the points with a 1-1 draw in Wollongong.

Louis Brain gave Brisbane their first half lead and Nigerian striker Chimaobi Nwagazi earned the home side their point.