Soccer: Same again for Kingz

SYDNEY - The Football Kingz remain at the bottom of the NSL table after the Northern Spirit won an entertaining match 2-1 in cold, wet conditions at North Sydney Oval last night.

The loss was the Kingz' fourth in five matches and did not really reflect the pressure they put on the home goal in the second half.

For the Spirit, sixth at the start of the night, victory kept up their hopes of a playoff spot with four rounds remaining.

The Kingz fell behind early when Adrian Cervinski scored after just eight minutes.

Kingz keeper Michael Theoklitos failed to clear from a Spirit attack and found the ball headed back towards him by Craig Foster. Theoklitos was able to palm the ball away but only to Cervinski, who volleyed home from pointblank range.

At halftime, an injured Paul Urlovic was replaced by Jeff Campbell, who went into midfield and Harry Ngata moved up front.

Campbell's presence sparked the visitors and he was instrumental in their equaliser when his cross from the right hit the raised arms of former Kingz player Marcus Stergiopoulos. Referee Con Diomis pointed to the spot and Andy Vlahos made no mistake.

The Spirit's Pablo Cardoso had an excellent opportunity in the 62nd minute but he chipped wide with only the keeper to beat. He made amends 14 minutes later when he latched on to a loose ball from close range to put the home side back in front.

- NZPA